Ray Albert Marrs, 85, Whitewood, died Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the ranch near Whitewood.

Visitation will be noon until 9 p.m. with the family present from 6 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2009, at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 17, 2009 at the Nisland Independent Community Church with Pastor Doug Clark officiating. Burial will be 3:30 p.m. at the Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

Ray was a longtime member of the church and a memorial has been established to the Nisland Independent Community Church.

Ray was born March 12, 1924 at Sturgis, SD, to Albert and Edna (Priest) Marrs. Ray grew up on a homestead East of Sturgis in the Volunteer area. He spent his life as a rancher on the prairie until he and his mother moved to Whitewood Valley following the blizzard of 1949 where he continued to ranch.

When attending his brother's wedding in New York, he met the organist, Alice J. Moller. Ray and she were married on December 5, 1953 on Long Island, New York. To this union were born 4 children.

Survivors include his wife Alice Marrs, Whitewood; son Paul (Linda) Marrs, Whitewood, Annette (Bob) Lamb, Nisland, Dan (Anna) Marrs, Whitewood, Kari (Knute) Henning, Keller, TX; grandchildren, Erik, Kirstin, Kalli Henning, Kay, James and John Marrs, and Matthew Marrs; one brother, Aldean L. Marrs, Loveland, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and three sisters.