Ray Schultz

Ray Schultz, age 80, of Freeman, South Dakota passed away peacefully at home on hospice care on December 15, 2025. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday December 23, 2025 at the Bethlehem Reformed Church, OPC in Freeman. Visitation will be Monday December 22, 2025 at the church from 5-7:00 p.m., with a prayer service starting at 6:30 p.m.

Ray Schultz was born on January 11, 1945, to Gustav and Lena (Graber) Schultz in Freeman, SD and passed away on December 15, 2025. Ray was baptized by Reverend Brill at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Freeman. Ray graduated from Freeman High School in 1963. He attended and played basketball for one year at Southern State Teacher College in 1964. Ray then returned to Freeman and married LaVonne (Aman) on November 28, 1964, at the Bethlehem Reformed Church. They were blessed with one son, Scott Allen Schultz, in February 1967.

Ray worked for Jake Eisenbeis’ Cabinet Shop and Kaufman Feed Service before starting his own business, Ray’s Custom Cabinet Shop. For 50 years, Ray provided top-of-the-line custom cabinets for many customers. To add to his cabinet business, Ray, with the help of LaVonne, started a picture framing business. His coffee crew was a fun way to break up his workday. When Ray’s van was at the coffee shop, everyone knew it was time for coffee. The stories and jokes that shared were sure to continue. Ray was a jokester and had the gift of making everyone feel better. Even to his final day, Ray showed wit and humor.

Throughout his life, Ray dedicated 24 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Freeman Volunteer Fire Department, served five years on the city council, and spent five years contributing to the Freeman Area Jaycees. Ray was an active member at the Bethlehem Reformed Church serving as an elder and deacon. Ray truly loved the Lord and was a man of faith. His final words to his wife, son and daughter-in-law, and grandchildren were, “I will see you in Heaven.”

Ray’s favorite hobbies were fishing and hunting with long-time friend Dennis Wollman. His greatest pride was watching his grandchildren excel in their sports. He rarely missed an event. He also enjoyed watching his son and daughter-in-law coach, even sometimes giving advice.

Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, LaVonne, and his cherished son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Christena Schultz; and his adored grandchildren Mackenzie (Austin) Vogt, Sawyer Schultz, and Kerrigan Schultz; and two great-grandchildren Bennett and Emmerson; sisters Lilas Rangel, Gladys Schultz, and Ruth (Bill) Hickerson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Edwin and Leatrice Aman; half-brothers Leonard Pedde, Eric Pedde; half-sisters Frieda Butler, Amelia Gunderson, Irene Golder, and Alma Wollman.