Raymond Zemlicka

Raymond Zemlicka, 74, of Highmore, passed away, Sunday, June 5, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. 

Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, June 10, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore, Roger Day, officiating.  A visitation will be one hour prior to service at the church. 

Ray was born to Lester and Geneva (Goodsell) Zemlicka on October 15, 1947, in Pierre, South Dakota. He and his four siblings grew up on the family farm north of Highmore. He attended Eden township country school and graduated from Highmore High School in 1965. In 1967, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. While serving in Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star with Valor. After his honorable discharge, he returned to help operate the family farm.

Ray married Linda Jacobsen on October 25, 1975. To this union, three children were born: Wendy, Candice and Lucas. The couple continued farming and raised their family on the farm. Ray’s lifelong passion was aviation. He and his family enjoyed airshows and fly-ins across the country. Ray’s work as an aerial photographer took him to many places. His farm photos can be seen throughout the Midwest and Southern states.

In 1993, Ray opened and operated Ray’s Second Hand and Gun Store, where he met and made many friends. He was a talented blacksmith that could fabricate parts and repair anything. He loved going to auction sales and was also known for his large “inventory.” Ray was an avid hunter and conservationist with a passion for wildlife and the outdoors. He maintained food plots and planted thousands of trees on the family farm to preserve the land and create year-round wildlife habitat. Ray’s hobbies included collecting firearms, ammunition, old tractors and antiques. He especially enjoyed traveling and he visited nearly every state in the U.S. and traveled to numerous foreign countries.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda, daughters: Wendy (Nate) and Candice (Jenae); son, Lucas (Alishia); granddaughter, Payten; his faithful hunting dog, Tuff; and sisters: Jean Dalton and Susan (Ken) Lammers.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents: Lester and Geneva; and his brother, David.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Ray’s arrangements.