Raymond “Ray” Ode, 93

Raymond “Ray” Ode, 93, of Sioux Falls, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. Visitation with the family present will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at Brandon Lutheran Church in Brandon. His funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, also at the church. Burial will take place at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Brandon Lutheran Church or a charity of your choosing in Ray’s name.

Raymond Melvin Ode was born Aug. 2, 1933, at the Ode farm west of Brandon to Wilhelm and Claudina (Lee) Ode. He was baptized and confirmed at Brandon Lutheran Church. He attended school at Brandon and graduated in 1951. Following high school, he worked on the family farm until he joined the U.S. Army in 1956. He served in Arizona until 1958.  

On Nov. 29, 1959, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Rist at Brandon Lutheran Church. They moved to the family farm where he farmed with his father and brothers, Lee and Bob. He most loved working with the dairy cattle and solving the challenges that daily farming presented. Years later he was joined in farming with his son Bill and his wife Tracie. Ray was especially proud of the century farm recognition that the farm received in September 2022. 

Ray was a loving father to three children, he enjoyed guiding them through their years in 4-H. He taught them to respect the animals and to take pride in their work. He was an avid sports fan and really enjoyed attending ballgames that his children and grandchildren played in. 

Ray was a lifelong member of Brandon Lutheran Church, where he served as the president and vice president of the church council. He was very active in the church choir and was very proud of the Easter cantatas. He also loved singing in the Minnehaha Mandskor Chorus, where he served as president for five years. He was honored to serve on the Corson Coop Elevator board, Minnehaha Farm Bureau, South Dakota American Dairy Association, South Dakota Dairy Council, and was a three-time delegate to the National Dairy Conference.  

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Bonnie, of Sioux Falls; son, William (Tracy) Ode of Sioux Falls; daughters, Sandra (Jim) Bly of Milford, Iowa, and Michele (Chad) Adamson of Brookings; and five grandchildren, Amanda Ode, Riley Ode, Sterling Ode, Gracie Adamson and Zoe Adamson. Ray is also survived by several nieces and nephews and extended family.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Wilhelm and Claudina (Lee) Ode; sister, Ramona Watson; and brothers, Lee Ode and Robert Ode.