Mass of Christian Burial for Ray Litschewski, age 75, of Selby will be at 10 AM, Saturday, February 11, 2012 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Selby. Burial will be at Selby Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will start at 5 PM Friday at the church with a prayer service at 7 PM. Ray passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen.

Raymond "Ray" Litschewski was born August 4, 1936 in a sod house at Herreid to Edward and Mary (Hahne) Litschewski. He moved with his family to Selby in 1944 and attended Selby School. Ray joined the US Marine Corp in 1953 and served with the 1st Marine Division in Korea; he was also stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA. Ray was a sergeant when discharged in 1957 when he then returned to Selby.

In March 1957 Ray began working at the Selby Equity Service Station. He eventually became manager. He was employed there for 18 years. Ray married Sylvia Laemmle on February 9, 1959 in Selby, SD. Ray and Sylvia purchased the Time Out Lounge in 1982 and sold it September 1, 2011.

For many years Ray served as a council member and one term as Mayor. He is a past member of the Selby Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance EMT. Ray is a member of the St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Selby and the Selby American Legion.

Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ray was also known to be a jokester.

Ray is survived by his wife, Sylvia of Selby, daughters, Shelly DeJong of Jamestown and Alicia (Arlyn) Ritter of Logan, IA; grandchildren, Nicole (Scott) Kouf of Jamestown, Andrew (Anne) Ritter of Sioux Falls, Adam (Angie) Ritter of Lennox, and Adison Ritter of Watertown; great grandchildren, Dylan and Taylor Kouf, Autumn and Alivia Ritter; brother, Art (Carmen) Litschewski of Parachute, CO; sister, Jo Trostad of Tolna, ND; mother-in-law, Virginia Warwick of Selby and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John and one in infancy sisters, Agnes Knecht, Bernie Bieber, Lil James and one younger sister.

Casketbearers will be Nicole Kouf, Andrew Ritter, Adam Ritter, Adison Ritter, Dylan Kouf, Taylor Kouf, Autumn Ritter and Alivia Ritter.

Honorary Bearers will be Art Litschewski, Jo Trostad, All Ray's nieces and nephews, Dwight Wise, Doyle Schley, Beave Karst, Dora Weideman, Doyle Kvasnicka all Ray's pop and card buddies at the Time Out, his coffee buddies at Shorty's and the nurses at Conklin Clinic.

Deb Dumdie will play the organ. Vonnie Reuer will sing "Ave Maria", "I Can Only Imagine", "If You Could See Me Now".