Ray Heupel, 69, Sturgis, SD, died Thursday, June 4, 2009, at Sturgis Regional Hospital, after a courageous 3 ½ year battle with mantle cell lymphoma.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 8, 2009, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis, SD, with Father Arnold Kari officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from noon until 9:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel of Sturgis with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Burial will follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery, Sturgis.

Ray was born November 28, 1939, in Bison, SD, to Alfred and Nora (Rattei) Heupel. He grew up in ranch country and attended country school near Bison. He graduated from Reisch Auction School in 1957 in Mason City, IA. He worked at various farms and ranches in the Bison, SD, and Bowman, ND, areas.

On December 28, 1959, he married Cordavee Blees in Bowman, ND. As newlyweds they moved to Mobridge, SD, where he worked as yard foreman for Mobridge Livestock until 1962. In 1963 he became an auctioneer at Pipestone Livestock in Pipestone, MN. He was a member of St. Leo's Catholic Church, officer of the local saddle club and officer of the square dance club. He also announced and judged horse shows in the three state area.

In 1968, he moved to Bowman, ND, where he leased a farm/ranch combination and was an auctioneer at Bowman Livestock. In 1969, he started his own auction firm, Ray's Auction Service, and conducted auctions of various sizes and types in a three state area. He was auctioneer at Baker Livestock in Baker, MT and Hettinger Livestock in Hettinger, ND. Ray was a member of the state and national auctioneer's associations.

Ray served on the township board, 4-H leader, Bowman County Fairboard and as a St. Charles Catholic Church lector. He received two North Dakota Honorary FFA degrees.

In 1989, Ray and Cordavee moved to Sturgis, SD, where he was employed by Sturgis Livestock. He enjoyed working with the entire staff during this last term of employment before retiring.

Ray had an eye and exceptional ability for raising and recognizing quality livestock. He raised registered Paint and Quarter Horses, Charolais and crossbred cattle and sheep. He worked with many auctioneers crying all types of auctions in the areas where he lived over the years. He enjoyed spending time with his kids, grandkids, great grandkids and 4-H members. Ray loved playing cards with his coffee buddies, dancing, anything to do with numbers, reading farm/ranch magazines and newspapers and playing solitaire on the computer.

He is survived by his wife, Cordavee; five children: Colin (Debbie) Heupel, Arvada, CO; RaeDeen Heupel, Richey, MT; Renee Hansen, Cheyenne, WY; Casey (Sharon) Heupel, West Glacier, MT, and Chad (Helen) Heupel, Frederick, MD; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Five sisters: Alyce (Delbert) Hurst, KS; Linda Besler, WY; Diane (Terry) Brown, NM; Margie Kvanvig, SD, and Debbie Heupel, CA. Six brothers: Alvin (Arlys) Heupel, ND; Alfred (Judy) Heupel, MT; Norman (Dora) Heupel, KS; Leonard (Janice) Heupel, ND; Lester (Cleita) Heupel, TX, and Ronnie Heupel, SD.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Lorraine Pace of NM.

Memorials have been established to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, the American Red Cross, and the local Relay for Life.