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 Raymond C. Kocer, age 85, of Tabor, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center, Tyndall, SD. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, with Msgr. Carlton Hermann officiating. Con-celebrants are Rev. Joe Puthenkulathil and Rev. Joe Forcelle. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitations will be 2 to 5 PM, Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel, Tabor, and then at 6:00 PM at the church with a wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Pallbearers will be Larry Kocer, Robert Kocer, Kathy Hiemstra, Ken Kocer, Karen Ranek, and Kristi Kocer. Honorary pallbearers will be his sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ray was born on January 14, 1926, to Joseph and Catherine (Plavec) Kocer on a farm north of Tabor, SD. Ray was baptized and confirmed at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. On June 12, 1945 Ray was united in marriage to Irene Carda at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Tabor. Ray and Irene farmed within the Tabor area for several years before settling on the family farm in 1966, where they continued to farm and raise their family. In 1993 they retired and moved into Tabor, but Ray continued to be involved with the family farm for many more years.
Ray was an active member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church and Tabor Chamber of Commerce. While farming was a big part of his life, Ray also enjoyed socializing with friends and relatives, playing cards and playing softball. He organized the Tabor Jets softball team in 1945 with farmers, neighbors, relatives and friends. Ray remained the team pitcher and manager for over 50 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his children and grandchildren's activities. Ray was a gentle, quiet, and hard-working man. He touched many people, changed some lives, and left a lasting impression on all of us.
Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Irene of Tabor, SD; son Larry (Carol) of Tabor, SD; son Robert (Kathy) of Cedar Rapids, IA; daughter Kathy (Craig) Hiemstra of Bartlesville, OK; son Ken (Rhonda) of Tabor, SD; daughter Karen (Ken) Ranek of Tyndall, SD; and daughter Kristi of Tabor, SD: grandchildren Kimberly Kocer, Brian (Jorjia) Fejfar, and Steve (Shelly) Fejfar; Julie Hall, Mike Hall, and Samantha (Christoph) Weismayer; Tyler (Stephanie) Hiemstra, Brooke, Jonathan, Nathan, Preston, and Dillon Hiemstra; Mark (Leslie) Ranek, Scott, Kayla, and Lance Ranek: great-grandsons Andrew and Matthew Grassel: one brother George (Agnes) Kocer of Tabor, SD; many nieces, nephews and extended family.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Anna, Stella, Mary, Helen, Hattie, and Adeline; brothers Joe and Mike; two nieces, two nephews, and one granddaughter Susan Fejfar. Memorials are directed to the Alzheimer's Association; South Dakota Office; 1000 N. West Ave #250; Sioux Falls, SD 57104.
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