Raymond Simenstad

Raymond Walter Simenstad, 91, passed away Monday, December 13 at St Joseph’s Medical Center of Covid. Ray was born April 6, 1930 in Brainerd to Raymond and Margaret Lindstrom Simenstad. He grew up on the Lindstrom family homestead east of Nisswa. He walked daily to the Nisswa School with his two older sisters. Ray graduated from Pequot Lakes High School in 1948 and enlisted in the Air Force where he served as a paratrooper. He met and married Roberta Fischer while in the service. Four children were born from this marriage: Maria, Scott, Elizabeth and Sherry. They later divorced. Ray joined his stepfather Clarence Whitney running Whitney Well Drilling which he operated until his retirement. He met and married the love of his life, Betty Wallin, in 1975. Ray and Betty were active in starting the Christ Community Church. They, in fact, cut the first tree down for the new building. His love for the Lord was very evident by the motto he lived by: Lord make me a blessing to someone today.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 46 years, Betty; two sons, Scott (Nancy) Simenstad and Joseph (Heather) Simenstad of Aitkin; three daughters, Maria (Doug) Petersen, Elizabeth (Ken) Linster of Drayton, ND and Sherry (John) Tostrup of Viking, MN; 7 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 13 great-great grandchildren; his special nephew, Mark (Randi) Kuschke; two special nieces, Kim (LaVern) Mueske and Linda Browning; and several other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betsy Jo; his parents; and two sisters, Margie Kuschke Moberg and Mary Neisler.
Services for Ray will be at the Christ Community Church, Nisswa on Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 PM with visitation one hour prior to the service. Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask because of Covid.