Raymond Leroy Benterud was born on March 7, 1940 in Dawson Creek, the youngest child of three, born to Ole and Anna Benterud. Ray lived in Groundbirch, British Columbia, until his passing on January 20, 2011 in Dawson Creek, at 70 years of age.
Ray was a very kind and trusting man that loved strong coffee and oatmeal cookies.

Raymond’s strong values were well known by all near him - making time needed for family and working hard to provide for them, and getting done what was necessary before rest on Sunday. He always took the time to stop by a neighbours to lend a hand, have coffee, or just judge the weather. He would make early morning calls to check on friends while they were still with him.

Raymond attended Tuscola Mountain School near his home in Groundbirch until the eighth grade when the passing of his dad, Ole, led him into running the family farm with his mother Anna, and sisters Vivian and Lorine along with the help of neighbours throughout the years.

Ray enjoyed times spent in his early years riding, fishing, and hunting with his close friends. Time was spent through his mid life raising a family with Debbie, bringing up his children Jake, Skeeter, Sheila and Trevor. Ray continued farming and spent time on the sawmill with his kids and a good friend Oscar. He used the lumber for home and farm improvements. Ray was an accomplished carpenter for being mainly self taught. His later years he spent with his grandchildren, feeding the horses and cows with many tours to keep a close eye on the deer, and frequent trips to the community pasture to check on his beloved coldbrook.

Raymond was predeceased by his parents Ole and Anna Benterud. He is fondly remembered by his children, Jake (Sheri) Fickle, Skeeter (Susie) Fickle, Sheila Benterud (Mike Fogarty) and Trevor Benterud as well as sisters Vivian and Lorine Benterud, all seventeen grandchildren and one great grandchild, a long extended family of loved ones, and many caring friends and kind neighbours.

A funeral service was held on January 25, 2011 at the Bergeron Funeral Chapel, Dawson Creek, British Columbia with Pastor Lee Stephenson officiating. Interment followed in the Mountain View Cemetery, Groundbirch, British Columbia.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Ray, may be made by donation to the ‘Mountain View Cemetery’ P.O. Box 153, Groundbirch, British Columbia V0C 1T0.

Arrangements entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd.