Rayford “Ray” Anderson

May 10, 1935 – July 17, 2023
Rayford Julian Anderson, 88, of Buffalo, South Dakota passed away, Monday, July 17, 2023 at Belle Estate Specialized Senior Living in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. A funeral service was held, Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at the Old Harding County Gymnasium at 11:00 am in Buffalo, SD. Burial followed in the Buffalo Cemetery. A reception followed at the Lion's Civic Center. Memorials are suggested to the Grand River Lutheran Church or the Buffalo Museum.
Ray was born on May 10, 1935 in Reeder, ND to Ralph and Clara Anderson. He was the second of three sons they raised on a farm in the northeast corner of Harding County. He went to the Ramble Country School in Twin Township through the sixth grade. In 1947 Ralph and Clara sold the farm and purchased the ranch north of Buffalo. Ray then attended and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1953. After graduation he continued to work on the ranch with Ralph and started doing carpentry work around the area.
Ray met Ilene Royset from Hettinger, ND when she worked at the First State Bank in Buffalo. Ray and Ilene married on October 25, 1955, and started their life together on the ranch. They were blessed with three children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren (with two more on the way).
Ray purchased the ranch from his father over time and raised cattle until his "semi-retirement" in 2002. He and Ilene built a house in Buffalo and sold part of the ranch and the cattle. Ray continued to run summer herds until the time of his death.
Ray lived in Harding County all his life doing what he loved most: ranching and raising his family. He loved spending time with the grandkids—seeing what mischief he and the grandkids could get into together. He enjoyed bowling for many years. He enjoyed attending community dances where he and Ilene would glide across the floor in waltzes and two-steps. He admitted he could never quite get the hang of the polka.
Ray especially enjoyed horseshoes and pitched locally, statewide, and in five world horseshoe tournaments. For nearly 50 years he organized and ran the horseshoe tournament for the Harding County Fair. He also organized and ran the Lion's Club tournament each September.
Ray was a member of Grand River Lutheran Church. He was a 4-H leader for 40 years for the Trail Riders 4-H club and served on the county 4-H board. He served on the Buffalo School Board, Harding County School Board, and the Library Board. He was a member of the County Extension Board and the Harding County Development Board. Ray was also a Harding County Commissioner for four years. He was a brand inspector for the South Dakota Stockgrowers for 40 years and weighed cattle for the Harding County Stockgrowers for more than 50 years. Ray was a member of the Buffalo Lion's Club for 57 years. He served as President of the Museum Board. He served on the board of the Grand Electric Cooperative for at least 34years. Ray's contributions and commitment to the Harding County community led to his selection as Grand Marshall of the Harding County Fair in 2014. He was also proud to receive the award for oldest man at the Old Timers’ Breakfast at the Harding County Fair in 2022 at the age of 87.
Ray is survived by his son Daniel (Lisa) Anderson of Greenville, RI and daughters Dona Warwick of Spearfish, SD, and Sandra (Tim) Butts of Dickinson, ND. He is survived by eight grandchildren: Beau Butts of Chicago, IL; Cory (Amanda) Butts of Fayetteville, AR; Baelee (Josh) Karey of Dickinson, ND and their children Bennett, Riven, and Rhodes; Taycee Butts of Dickinson, ND; Chris Warwick of Jordan, MT; Mike (Kegan) Warwick of Spearfish, SD; Shawn Warwick of Spearfish, SD; and Alexis Anderson of Boston, MA. He is survived by his older brother Richard (Ruth) Anderson of Sun City West, AZ and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Gary Royset of Poulsbo, WA and sister-in-law Karen (Jon) Jennings of Gilbert, AZ and their families.
Ray was preceded in death by his wife Ilene, his parents Ralph and Clara Anderson, his younger brother Ronald Anderson, an infant sister Darlene Joy, and many good friends.
Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.