Raymond "Ray"

P. Connot

Spencer — Raymond "Ray" P. Connot, 80, of Spencer, died Saturday, July 22, 2023 at his home surrounded by loved ones.

Visitation was held Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spencer.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at the church in Spencer. Fr. Bernard Starman officiated.

Burial was in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Spencer.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Brockhaus Funeral Home in Spencer was in charge of the arrangements.

Raymond was born on April 17, 1943, in Spencer, the oldest son of Paul and Lucille (Noziska) Connot. He grew up on the ranch on the Nebraska/South Dakota border northwest of Gross and attended country schools in both South Dakota and Nebraska. He attended Pickstown High School and graduated from high school in Spencer in 1961. 

Ray married Arlene Soukup on Aug. 10, 1963, in Spencer. They farmed and ranched until ill health forced his early retirement. 

Ray and Arlene were lifelong members of Saint Mary's Parish in Spencer and served their church and community in many ways throughout their lifetime.

Ray enjoyed every minute of his time on the ranch, hosting family gatherings and activities and enjoyed taking old and new friends for a tour of the farm and ranch. Ray had a restorative knack for solving problems and fabricating solutions to overcome challenges. Ray and Arlene moved to Spencer in the summer of 2000 and spent their early retirement years traveling and camping throughout the western United States and visiting relatives and reading. Ray also kept busy restoring antique tractors and buying and selling cars.

Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years Arlene; four children Kevin (Barb) Connot of Allen, Colene (Jody) Kaczor of Pickstown, SD, Gary (Lisa) Connot of O'Neill and Joel (Peggy) Connot of Sioux Falls, SD; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and four siblings Jeanne (Richard) Soulek of Armour, SD, Pauline (Roger) Waldo of O'Neill, Edward (Sue) Connot of Spencer and Debbie (Rodney) Ludemann of O'Neill.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Lucille and numerous friends and relatives.