Raymond "Ray" Carl Lillquist

Raymond Carl Lillquist Ray Lillquist, 73, of Mansfield passed away May 2, 2014 on the family farm. He was born December 12, 1940 to Edwin Carl and Violet Malina (Grenier) Lillquist at Mason City, Washington. Ray was baptized on January 28, 1944 by Pastor R.A. Koch. Ray grew up in Grand Coulee, Washington. Ray’s father, who worked on the Grand Coulee Dam and Great Northern Tunnel, passed away from polio when Ray was 5 years old. Later, his mother, Violet, remarried Milt Nelles. When Ray was 12 years old, the family moved to Fir Island to be close to family. He attended Conway Grade School and started his high school education at Mount Vernon. They moved to Soap Lake for his sophomore year of High School. Ray was confirmed into the Lutheran Faith on February 3, 1957. He finished his Junior and Senior years graduating from Quincy High School in 1959. Ray attended Eastern Washington University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. During and after college, Ray worked in Quincy for Centennial Mill and Quincy Farm Chemical. In May 1969, he began working as a line shift supervisor for Lamb Weston where he was promoted to warehouse supervisor and shipping/purchasing agent in the main office. On June 7, 1969, Ray married Etta Louise Nollmeyer, who he called one of his greatest blessings. They had two daughters, Nikki Marie and Merrie Louise while living in George. In the spring of 1978, Ray and Etta moved their family to Mansfield, Washington to help on the Nollmeyer family farm. They had a son, Luke Raymond in 1981. Together Ray and Etta continued wheat farming with their son joining them in 2013. In addition to farming, Ray’s favorite times were spent with family and friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, fireworks, games, fun and laughter. Ray was a long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Spokane, Washington. He will be remembered in our hearts forever as a loving, patient, kind husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Ray brought life and joy to our lives and words cannot express how much he will be missed. He was truly our “Ray” of sunshine from Heaven above. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Violet; his step-father Milt; two brothers: Verlyn Lillquist and Les Lillquist; and nephew Victor Lillquist. Ray is survived by his wife, Etta of 44 years; daughter Nikki (Brad) Murison of Mansfield; daughter Merrie Fleming of Clarkston; son Luke(Stacy) Lillquist of Mansfield; grandsons Braydon, George and Max Murison of Mansfield; brothers Marvin Lillquist of Seattle and Eugene Lillquist of Quincy; and numerous nephews, nieces and extended family. Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 2 pm to 7 pm at the Waterville Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 11 am at the North Central Washington District Fairgrounds Community Hall in Waterville, Washington with a reception celebrating the life of Ray Lillquist following the service. Private Interment will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made to the Mansfield Ambulance Fund, Trinity Lutheran Church, Mansfield Scholars Foundation or a memorial of your choice. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by the Waterville Funeral Home.

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Raymond "Ray" Carl Lillquist

December 12, 1940 - May 2, 2014