Raymond Sidney Kalk was born on March 17, 1926 in Ravenscrag, Saskatchewan to Adolph and Magdelina Kalk.  Raymond was the ninth son of 11 children. His siblings were: Viola, Vera, Vernon, Adeline, Lorraine, Bill, Bert, Ken, Eunice and Bruce.

The family farmed at Ravenscrag until 1932 when they moved to Pontrilas, where Ray Lived and farmed until 2010.

Ray married Dorothy Bigelow on September 23, 1949. They were married for forty-five years until Dorothy’s passing in 1994. Ray and Dorothy raised their two children Woody and Shayla.

After Dorothy’s passing he met Irene Shellenberg. Irene had come to look at a Piano Ray had for sale. From this chance meeting a beautiful partnership developed. Raymond moved to Melfort in 2010 and was with Irene until 2016 when Irene passed away.

Over the years Ray worked many jobs besides the farm, he toured around Saskatchewan as a jockey, worked in logging camps north of Love Saskatchewan, drove truck for lumber company in Victoria, and collected scrap metal for the war effort.

Despite his busy work life Ray found the time to learn the fiddle, saxophone and guitar. After finding a fiddle in the attic he taught himself to play “Lay That Pistol Down”, and was soon playing for dances in the Pontrilas hall. His love of music continued for the rest of his life and spent many of the days of his retirement playing music with his band “The Goodnighters”.

Rays place in Melfort was always somewhere people could stop by for a game of cards and talk. At 5:00 it was happy hour, and there was always the opportunity to go downstairs for a tour of his collection of toys.

Ray will be welcomed in the hereafter by his Mother and Father, his siblings: Viola, Vernon, Vera, Lorraine, Bill, Bert, Ken and Bruce and his grandson Gerald.

Left to celebrate his long life are his son Woody (Jodie), his daughter Shayla (Tony), sisters: Adeline and Eunice. Ray is also loved and remembered by his grandchildren: Jonathan, Wyatt (Naomi), Diedra, Janelle, Selene, Alyssa, and Emily. Raymond’s legacy will also be commemorated by two great grandchildren Keith and Silas.

A Private Family Graveside Service was held on Saturday, July 4, 2020 at 200 P.M. at the Elk Hill Cemetery, Codette, SK with Pastor Jordon Fossineave officiating.

Those wishing to leave condolences for the family may visit the online guestbook at www.fedusaikfuneralchapel.com  Funeral arrangements entrusted to Fedusiak Funeral Chapel & Crematorium Ltd.  Melfort, SK  (306)752-3838.

 

 

 

• Date : 2020-06-30
• Location : Melfort, SK