Raymond Fay Baumfalk
Sunday, January 17th, 1943-Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
Raymond Fay Baumfalk, 80, of Atwood passed away Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Colby.
Raymond was born on the family farm east of Atwood on Jan. 17, 1943, to Clarence and Selma (Gray) Baumfalk. He was the youngest of three children. Brother Virgil Ray was the oldest, then sister Clara May. Raymond grew up on the farm and attended Atwood Schools.
In high school, he played football and loved to wrestle. Raymond left Kansas to ride the rodeo circuit for a few years before returning to the family farm north of Atwood to help his father. He was a hard worker and no stranger to the local sale barns.
Raymond married Patricia Lynn Pearson on Aug. 27, 1960. To this union were born two children, Jonathan Guy and Don Ray. They lived on a farm near the Achilles area for many years until a tragic farm accident placed their son Jonathan amongst the angels in heaven on June 28, 1984.
Patricia joined Jonathan in heaven on Aug. 3, 2010. Raymond spent the majority of his life doing what he loved — farming, gardening, raising livestock and even a little coon hunting in his earlier days. He had a life full of many wild stories that would make one raise an eyebrow, but sure enough, his stories were actually true. The pet deer, Rosebud, and the pet buffalo, Spur, are prime examples.
Raymond was blessed to have a loving relationship with Bert Schmidt, which started 32 years ago. Together they built a life north of Atwood where countless numbers of memories were made for many – human and animal alike. It would always be a wild guess if one would be greeted by a Great Pyrenees or a shotgun. There wasn’t an animal Raymond nor Bert would turn away which established the Baumfalk’s Misfit Haven where countless animals were nursed back to health. Between the animals and gardening, there was never a dull moment, an adventure to be had and a memory to be made.
Although Raymond could be described as intimidating, bullheaded, stubborn and rough around the edges for most of his life- he, enjoyed a long life, blessed with family and friends of which he truly treasured visits from. Those visits with Raymond will now be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Selma; his siblings, Virgil Ray “Bud” Baumfalk and Clara May Oliverius; his brother-in-law, Roger Oliverius; his son, Jonathan; and his nephew, Virgil Ray (VR) Baumfalk.
Survivors include his loving companion, Bert Schmidt; son, Don (Pamela) Baumfalk of Hays; daughter, Ida (Eric) Sander of Bison, S.D.; grandsons, Joshua Baumfalk of Westminster, Colo., Johnathan Baumfalk of Hays, and Kyle Sander of Bison, S.D.; granddaughters, Alicia Baumfalk of Atwood, and Kinley Sander of Bison, S.D.; many honorary grandkids and great grandkids; as well as many other family and friends.
Per Raymond’s request, he will be laid to rest looking over his favorite hay field. A memorial gathering will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at the Prairie Developmental Center, DSNWK (PDC) of Atwood.
Memorials may be made to Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701 for funeral expenses and to benefit the local 4-H.
Condolences can be sent to PO Box 402, Atwood, KS 67730. For more information visit baalmannmortuary.com.