Raymond Jerome Thooft was born on May 22, 1933, on the family farm in Island Lake Township to Ernest and Mary (Dobbelaere) Thooft. He grew up, attended Country School and served two years in the U.S. Army. On October 15, 1958, he was united in marriage to Jean Marie Bernardy. The couple farmed and raised their family in Lynd Township. Ray farmed his whole life, including helping with tillage just a week before his death. He was meticulous about his equipment, livestock and his vehicles. He also enjoyed gardening, tending to his flowers and playing cards. He enjoyed traveling especially a trip to Belgium. Ray and his siblings were born to Belgian immigrants and he still spoke Flemish on occasion. His strong religious beliefs were evident by his faithful mass attendance. Ray was most passionate about his family, especially his grandchildren and he enjoyed attending their activities.
Raymond died on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD, due to complications following a stroke. He is survived by daughter Carol (and Stephen) Goblish of Milroy, grandchildren Adam (and Mirinda), Michael (and Stephanie), Melissa (and Brandon), Amanda, Jordan and Kaitlynn, great-grandchildren Owen, Sophia, Abigail, Emmett, Olivia, John and Avery, son David (and Shirley) Thooft of Lynd, grandson Austin (and Kayla), son Dennis (and Mary Jo) Thooft of Lynd, granddaughter Jessica, daughter Joan (and Gary) LaVoy of Tracy, grandchildren Mathew (fiancé Morgan) and Jennifer, son Dean (and Kristin) Thooft of Marshall, grandchildren Zachariah (and Kathryn), Lucas and Joshua, son Kevin (and Kris) Thooft of Janesville, granddaughters Ashley and Allison (and Tanner), son Brian (and Jill) Thooft of Lynd, grandchildren Brayden and Brennen, siblings Emma DeLanghe, Gene (and Agnes), Marian (and Leon) VanDenBroeke, Mary (and George) Lanoue, Jeanette (and Vincent) Lanoue, sisters-in-law Leona, Betty, and Kate, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, brothers Amandus, Aime, Ernest and sister Louise, brothers-in-law Ed DeLanghe and Ken Rudd and special family friend Scott Buysse.
