Raphael Thomas Farmer

Ray Farmer, 76, of Redwood Falls passed away at his home on Thursday, September 6, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 from St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls with Father Mike Doyle as celebrant. Visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, from 4 until 8 p.m., and will continue at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to services.

Arrangements are with Nelson-Martin Funeral Service of Redwood Falls. E-mail condolences may be sent via www.nelsonmartinfuneralservice.com .


Raphael Thomas Farmer, the son of George and Theresa (Cook) Farmer, was born April 20, 1936 in Worthington. He was the youngest of 12 children. Ray was baptized in Worthington and received his First Communion and Confirmation at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bird Island. He attended and graduated from St. Mary’s where he participated in playing basketball and baseball.

On July 20, 1957, he married Lorraine (Weyer) in Bird Island. Ray was a sentimental and traditional man. Lorraine put the wedding ring on his finger and she was the only one who removed it at the time of his death 55 years later. Through all of his medical treatments, he refused its removal saying they would have to cut it off his finger. Ray was a very loving and faithful husband and father.

Ray was a man with a wealth of one-liners. He was a father figure to many, always wanting to make you feel comfortable, safe and loved. He taught many children, grandchildren and nieces/nephews how to drive. He could make you laugh and at ease every time he entered a room. “Don’t worry about it” was a common used phrase.

He was employed by the Redwood Falls Motor Company, later becoming Kohls-Weelborg Ford, from 1956 until 1998. He started in parts and moved to sales where he never forgot a name or by the vehicle they bought. “The Ford Showroom” was his forte and his kids loved listening to it especially on their birthdays. Later he worked for the Redwood County Veterans Service office driving the van for veterans. He enjoyed the riders and the stories they told. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, was a school board member at St. Catherine’s Catholic School and later served as an usher. He was a board member of the Redwood Falls Police Commission as well.

Ray was a Little League and Pony League coach to many kids over the years. He cherished the visits by his former players after they had become adults. He was a great, positive influence to many. Baseball was more than a game to him but a lesson in life. He was known for treating his teams to root beer at A&W after the winning games. Competitive by nature, he was known for making you earn your win; he didn’t hand out “gimmes”.

Ray is survived by his wife Lorraine of Redwood Falls; his children Chuck Farmer of Redwood Falls, Sandy (Diego) Alvarez of Merritt Island, FL, Rick (Ida) Farmer of Morton, Ron (Susie) Farmer of Chaska, Julie (Joel) Read of Redwood Falls; 18 grandchildren Ciji, Blair, Sophia, Chris, Leslie, Mindy, Mitch, Brianna, Carson, Candace, Shelby, Savanna, Haley, Briggs, Braxton, Jordana, Janessa and Jillian; and four great-grandchildren Jada, Dyami, Dareon and Braya.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers George Jr., Lawrence, and Joseph; sisters Dorothy, Genevieve, Veronica, Helen, Marie, Elsie, June and a sister in infancy; and his son Kevin in 2009.

Blessed be his memory.