Raymond Schuler, 82, of Valley City, North Dakota, passed away at his home under Hospice care on December 27, 2025. In keeping with Ray’s wishes, a small graveside committal service will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23rd at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Valley City. A time of fellowship, coffee and sharing of Raymond stories will be held at the North 9 (Valley City Country Club) immediately after the committal service. An online guestbook is available at www.lerudmathias.com. Traditions Funeral Services is assisting the family with Raymond’s arrangements.

Ray was born on April 28, 1943, in Valley City to Leo and Pearl Schuler. He attended St. Catherine’s School for both elementary and high school, graduating in 1962. Many of his classmates remember Ray as a happy-go-lucky young man with a mischievous streak. He kept the Sisters who taught him on their toes and was quite a handful at times. One memorable incident occurred when he showed up to school sporting a Mohawk haircut. The teaching staff was less than impressed, and Ray was sent home and told he could not return until it was cut off. As soon as our mother heard the news, the haircut disappeared. Ray never knew he was ahead of his time, as the Mohawk would become a popular hairstyle many years later. As Ray moved into his high school years, his interests shifted to sports and girls. He played both basketball and football and enjoyed being active in school activities. During his teenage years, he worked on the farm of Harold and Marie Thomsen outside of Valley City. They became like extended family to Ray and treated him as one of their own. He loved every aspect of farm life and developed a passion for farming that would stay with him throughout his life. Ray married Kathleen Bergman in 1963, and together they had four children. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Monrovia, Liberia in Africa, where Ray worked for his father-in-law. While living there, Ray and Kathy welcomed their son. Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Valley City and completed their family with the birth of three more children. Ray worked for many years in the maintenance department at Mercy Hospital. However, farming was always his true calling. In the late 1960s, he pursued his dream and began farming full-time. He continued farming until retiring just a few years ago. Long hours, hard work, and dedication were hallmarks of Ray’s strong work ethic. Ray was an avid gardener who loved sharing his harvest with family, friends, and neighbors. He also enjoyed hunting trips with his buddies, gathering for coffee at Hill Top, occasional trips to the casino, watching sports, and old western movies. Family and friends were pleasantly surprised to discover that Ray was also an excellent baker. He often made homemade pies and cookies from scratch for family gatherings.

Ray is survived by his children: Scott (Lisa) Schuler, Suzy (Rydell) Becker, Stacey Schuler, and Sara Schuler Nickerson (Brian Kunze). His grandchildren: Katie, Tim, Jacob, Carly, Tammy, Aubrey, Haidyn, Taylar, Jordan, and Justin; as well as several great-grandchildren. Sisters: Lois (Rick) Gulseth, Linda (Ed Feuerherm) Leick and Barbara (Dennis) Orner, brother in law Harvey Peterson and many cousins. He also is survived by three wonderful friends, Harvey Lerud, Gary Sommerfeld and Gary Edlund who brought him companionship and many cherished memories.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, sister Sharon Peterson and brothers Myles Anundson and Robert Schuler.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family members who checked on Ray over the years, and to Hospice for their compassionate care during his final days.