Obituary of Raymond Albert Walter Scheske

Please click here to view Raymond's Memorial Card

On a peaceful Monday, June 7, 2021, Raymond Albert Walter Scheske, age 81, passed away at Lakeside Care Home in Wolseley, Saskatchewan after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was predeceased by his father, Albert Scheske, and his mother, Olga Laura Koch Scheske. Ray is survived by his wife, Marilyn Scheske; his daughters, Shari Scheske (Riq Boone) of Ottawa, and Lynda Scheske of Regina; four grandchildren: Sarah, Anna, and Jennifer Goodman of Ottawa; and Jacob Korpan of Regina; one sister, Elaine Gutknecht (Bruno) of Vernon, B.C.; and one brother, Doug Scheske (Jill) of Regina, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Ray was born on February 20, 1940 in Grahamdale, Manitoba. He grew up in Moosehorn, Ashern, and Winnipeg, before moving to Regina where he graduated Luther High school in 1959. That same year, his mother died. He subsequently moved to Moose Jaw in 1961 to help run a new family hotel business but in 1963 decided to attend Teacher’s College in Winnipeg. While helping his family in Moose Jaw, he met the love of his life, Marilyn.

Ray and Marilyn were married in 1964. Three weeks later, they ventured off to the coast of Papua New Guinea where Ray began his teaching career with the Lutheran Mission. Ray started as a teacher at the Lutheran Day School He was adored by the locals and was intertwined with the culture. He moved up the ranks to superintendent for two years, and then headmaster of a boarding school for his final two years. They lived there for a total of six years, during which Shari and Lynda were born. In 1970, Ray and his family returned to Canada and settled in Regina, where Ray got a job with adult education. While Ray taught, he also took university classes at night to complete his Bachelor of Education degree. He then accepted a teaching position with the Regina Public School System, teaching grades four to six for the next 15 years. He succeeded in whatever role he found himself in and thoroughly enjoyed teaching.

Ray loved camping with family. They all have fond memories of long, meandering summer vacations with their Boler trailer. One year, Ray was invited to go on a wilderness canoe trip as one of the leaders with Youth Unlimited. They spent a week with a number of Indigenous youth canoeing the pristine lakes of Northern Saskatchewan. After this amazing experience, Ray was hooked on canoeing and set aside time every summer thereafter for a canoe trip. Ray was grateful to have one final Northern expedition in 2019 with his brother, grandson, and nephew on McKay Lake near Missinnippe, organized by his grandson, Jacob Korpan as a 79^th birthday gift.

When travelling to Ottawa to visit their daughter, Shari, Ray and Marilyn took trips to beautiful Vermont where Ray became fascinated by the Shaker community and the fine woodworking examples they left as their legacy. He was particularly fascinated with the artful precision of making Oval Shaker boxes and spent many hours perfecting the technique for himself and then teaching his grandson Jacob how to make them. He also built beautiful furniture in the Shaker style and delighted the family with his Adirondack chairs and creative birdhouses.

“Ray, we will miss your kind, gentle, and affirming presence in our lives. We treasure the beautiful woodworking your hands created and the gift of your unconditional, generous love.”

A small private gathering will be held on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate Ray’s life. To view the livestream of the service, please visit Ray’s tribute page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com

Donations in Ray’s memory may be made to, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 190 Massey Road, Regina, SK., S4S 4N5 or Luther College High School, 1500 Royal St., Regina, SK., S4T 545.