Click on the link below to watch the livestream of Ray's Celebration of Life.

https://www.firstreformedvolga.org/podcasts/media/2025-08-02-august-2-2025-funeral-of-ray-vander-wal

Raymond (Ray) Gene Vander Wal, age 81, died Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at the United Living Community in Brookings.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 2nd, 10:30 am, at the First Reformed Church of Volga.  Interment will be at Trinity Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Friday, August 1st from 5:00-7:00 pm at First Reformed Church.

Ray was born on June 15, 1944 in Volga, South Dakota to William J. and Tessie Mulder Vander Wal.  He attended school in Volga; graduating from Volga High School in 1963.  Ray served with the U. S. Navy from 1964-1967.  He served aboard the USS Mattaponi which included two tours to Vietnam.  Ray and Marlys (Sterud) were married in October 1965 and lived in San Francisco while Ray cruised the Pacific Ocean.

Ray enjoyed riding motorcycles, farming, and Peterbilt trucks; and he spent many hours enjoying these activities. He was a lifelong member of First Reformed Church of Volga.  He served on the consistory several times and especially loved the time spent helping with the church construction.  He was a member of the Volga American Legion Post 114, served on the Brookings County Zoning Board, East Central Cattlemen's Association and SD Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

Ray is survived by his wife, Marlys; daughter-in-law Chris and her children Dalton (Jenna), Tessa (Noah), and Ruby of Marne, IA; son Brad and his children Shad, Cade, Marika, and Seth of Volga; son Phil (Tara) and their children Kashsas, Mercedees, Reihdir and Porshia of Volga.  Brother Edward Vander Wal (Gina) and their children Scott (Michelle), Kevin (Kari), and David (Melanie); Sister Loretta (Duane) Kleinjan and their children Linda Hightower, Darrel (Tracy) and Donna (Mike) Bolstad; Sister Marcia Carver and her children Greg (Vicky), Nancy (Mark) Colburn and Tim (Kari) numerous great nieces and nephews and cousins.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, brother Wilmer, sister Wilhelmina Eggebraaten; son Brent; in-laws Martin and Myrtle Sterud; and brother-in-law Merlin Sterud, Graydon Eggebraaten and Ron Carver.