Raymond Anthony Storck, son of Anthony and H. Thelma (Smith) Storck, was born April 21, 1930 on the family farm in Swan Lake Township, where he grew up and spent all of his life. He was baptized in May, 1930 by Father George Rauch and confirmed in June, 1942 by Bishop Joseph Busch at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Ray began his schooling at Country School District #40 and continued on at the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, graduating in 1948. On November 18, 1952, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Blascyk at St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman by Father Joseph Kirchner. The couple remained on the farm in Swan Lake Township where they raised their family. Ray's life included many years of milking cows and raising and showing registered Quarter horses. Over the years, if there was a buck to be made he always had something to do with it. Even in early years he worked to make that buck. For several years, Ray worked for Ed Koehntop, combining; drove truck for Leonard Lesmeister Corn Service and skun mink for Al Jergenson. He would also spend his falls filling silos, custom snow plowing and spraying. If that was not enough he sold insurance from 1979 to 2004 and also was a land field rep for Dome Petroleum Pipeline, making that big buck back then. He sold guns, electronics, stock trailers, Amsoil and much more over the years. Ray was always willing to give you good advice, which was always correct and you received that advice even when you didn't ask for it.
Ray was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. He was a member of the Morris Rifle Club for 50 years, where he served as club secretary for 40 of those years. He served six of his eight years as President of the Stevens County Fair Board. He also served 12 years on the Morris Coop Board, serving six as secretary; 25 years on the Delaware Mutual Insurance Board; Chairman of the Swan Lake Township Board; Western Coop Transport; Pomme de Terre Lake Association; Knights of Columbus; Donnelly Rod & Gun Club; Swan Lake Assessor for 10 years; Swan Lake ASC Board and The State ASC Wheat Review Board and various other boards.
Ray was an avid hunter and loved music, singing, playing the organ, guitar and accordion. He had a love for horses, fishing, travel and spending time with family and friends. He especially enjoyed watching his son's race stock cars.
Ray died on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at the Courage Cottage in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 76 years.
He is survived by his wife: Dorothy Storck of Morris; seven children: Steve (Pat) Storck of Morris, David (Kay) Storck of Morris, Julie Storck of Morris, Michael (Shelly) Storck of Morris, Joan (Dennis) Wright of Verndale, Jill (Robin "Charlie") Henriksen of Cyrus and Janie (Jeff) Pring of Cyrus; 16 grandchildren; one sister: Edell Swanson of Morris; two brothers: Theodore Storck of Surprise, AZ and Morris and Richard (Joyce) Storck of Rockford and many nieces and nephews.. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Pallbearers for the service are: Kevin Storck, Mark Storck, Chad Swanson, Keith Swanson, Kenneth Swanson, Ron Bouressa, Gordy Harstad and Dennis Sayre. Honorary pallbearers are: Delaware Mutual Insurance Agency, Morris Rifle Club and all affiliated boards he served on. Josh Fisher will serve as Song Leader for the service with Janelle Swanson serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS THE FAMILY PREFERS MEMORIALS TO THE MAYO CLINIC CANCER CENTER FOR MULITIPLE MYELOMA IN ROCHESTER, MN