Raymond W Zell

Raymond Willard Zell passed away at the age of 100 on October 24, 2016 at home in Shelby surrounded by family.

The celebration of his life with military honors will be Saturday, November 19, 2016, 2:00pm, at the Elks Hall (Coyote Club).

Ray was the 6 ^th of 7 children born to Cecelia and Henry Zell on November 21, 1915 on the family homestead, southwest of Shelby.  A graduate of Shelby High School in 1933, Ray immediately went to work on the Dave Thomas Ranch north of West Butte.  A few years later he worked briefly in Seattle before hitching a ride, with only $20 dollars in his pocket, on a freighter to Juneau, Alaska.

After various jobs, he worked in the gold fields near the Arctic Circle, and then was drafted into the Army in 1942.  He served with the 17 ^th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron in the European theatre during WW II reaching the rank of First Sergeant and earning a Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

Upon discharge he married Victoria Pospisil and moved back to Toole County.  They had four children.  He farmed just southwest of Shelby for over 60 years.

He was active with the Methodist Church, Rifle Club, Boy Scouts, VFW, and Elks Club and was one of the original directors of the Marias River Electric Co-op.

In 1976, he married Elaine Flesch who was his wife for 31 years and they shared a fondness for travel.

Music was one of his passionate joys. He enjoyed playing the trumpet, and was self-taught on the accordion, piano, harmonica and other instruments.  In fact, he “encouraged” his children to watch Lawrence Welk and dance the polka.  Yes, he had a witty sense of humor and was quite a story teller.  Loving the outdoors, he was also an avid fisherman and hunter.

Ray is survived by his daughters: Carla (Gene) Schade in Seeley Lake, Gay LoRee Zell in Shelby and sons: Zane (Gloria) Zell in Shelby and Gregory (Norma) Zell in Kalispell; grandchildren: Sergio Zell,  Daisy (James) Sletten, Aurora (Bob) Toney, Emiliano (Lindsay) Zell, Lucio (Cheryl) Zell, Isaiah Zell, Kyle Zell and Levi Zell plus numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.  Survivors also include Elaine’s daughter Ramona (Jerry) Coburn, and their children JenaLee and Tyler.

He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, his parents and all of his siblings: Wilber, Russell, Reuben, Benjamin, Annetta, Alta and Rawlin.

He will always be remembered for his prose, poetry and passion for pies.

Any gifts and memorials can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children.