Obituary: Charles Kaiser

Charles "Ray" Raymond Kaiser, 77, Carrington, N.D., formerly Blaine, Minn., died Jan. 25, 2021 at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, N.D.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian United Methodist Church, Ellendale, N.D.

Ray was born at home on Oct. 30, 1943 in Clay County, Kan. to Elmo and Grace (Phelps) Kaiser. He lived on the family farm near Miltonvale, Kan. until 1951, when at the age of seven, he moved to North Dakota when his parents purchased the Kaiser Ranch, west of Ellendale. Ray graduated from Ellendale High School in 1961 and attended college at NDSU, where he was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity.

Ray left college after two years, when his father became ill and was unable to work for several months. Working with his parents and brothers, Kaiser Ranch expanded, a feedlot was added, and the farming operation increased.

After Ray discovered farming and ranching weren't his calling, he launched his career in sales in the late 1970's. He lived in several mid-western cities selling farm equipment, until making the Twin Cities his permanent home. He found his dream job as an independent sales representative for MeraVic Corporation. He traveled extensively and received recognition for his sales accomplishments.

Ray is survived by four brothers, Bob (Karen) Kaiser, Ellendale, N.D., Frank (Margaret) Kaiser, Monango, N.D., John (LouAnn) Kaiser, Monango, N.D., and Jim (Kathy) Kaiser, Washburn, N.D.; aunts and uncles Joyce Swallow, Manhattan, Kan., Wayne (Melvajean) Phelps, Hutchinson, Kan., and Jim Phelps, Wakefield, Kan.; 11 nieces and nephews; 22 great-nieces and nephews; several cousins; special friend Jeremy Johnson; and countless other close friends.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Grace and Elmo Kaiser, and one niece, Alicia Kaiser.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Carrington, N.D.