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Raymond “Diesel Ray” Veik

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McLEAN — Memorial services for Raymond “Diesel Ray” Veik, 88, McLean, will be held 10 a.m., June 12, at St. Jane Frances Catholic Church, Randolph, with Fr. Tim Forget officiating.

Inurnment will be in the Catholic cemetery with military honors conducted by Osmond American Legion Post 326. A luncheon will follow at the McLean Community Center.

Raymond died Dec. 10, 2020, in Absarokee, Mont.

Raymond Henry was born Nov. 11, 1932, in Humphrey. He was the sixth of 11 children born to John and Johanna (Stokes) Veik. He spent the majority of his childhood in McLean, graduating high school there in 1950. After high school, he drove truck, hauling livestock for his brother-in-law, Kenny Backhaus. In 1953, he was drafted into the Army, attached to the Air Force, where he served until 1955. After the service, he moved to Riverside, Calif., where his parents and younger siblings lived. In September of 1958, he married Arlene Bricker and had three children, Rodney, Sheila and Sandy. He worked for EL Yaeger for 38 years, doing highway construction and had a weekend business he started, Ray’s Diesel Engines, where he installed diesel engines.

He was a loving and involved grandfather to eight grandkids and 14 great-grandkids. He loved watching his granddaughters play basketball and softball, and grandsons race motorcycles. In his down time, he enjoyed restoring tractors and trucks, a hobby he was very good at. In their 62 years of marriage, Ray and Arlene split their time living between Nebraska, California and most recently, Montana. In the summer months, you would have found him mowing the community grass in his beloved town of McLean or working on his tractors and trucks in his heated shop. He made a bucket list some years ago. During his 88 years, he was able to check every item off! A few items included flying a B-17 airplane, driving a train and learning to play the organ. Ray’s favorite pastime was hosting family reunions at his home in Nebraska. He loved watching his family play basketball in his shop, volleyball and horseshoes on his lawn, and eat and laugh until the sun went down. Ray was never more alive than when he was surrounded by his family.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, John and Johanna; and brothers and sisters, Richard, Bud, Wilma, Lois, Elaine, Jim, Lester and Lloyd.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene; his children, Rodney, Sheila (Steve), and Sandy; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and siblings, Jean and Larry.

Ashburn Funeral home, Osmond, is in charge of arrangements.