Raymond Hecker, 91, Fairfield, died on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at The Evergreen, Dickinson. Raymond’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Friday, September 13, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield with Fr. Shane Campbell as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 p.m. 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass on Friday.
Raymond Hecker the youngest of the family was born May 14, 1933 to Louie M. and Christina (Heinz) Hecker. After growing up and completing his education, Raymond began farming and ranching with his older brother Anton on the family ranch. During Ray’s early years, he learned to work with a team of horses in the fields as well as saddle horses for working cattle. Over the years he saw many changes in the early agriculture industry to the modern day machinery we have now.
Ray and his brother were bachelors. They spent most of their time outside doing typical ranch chores coming in late at night from the fields or the calving barns during spring time. Starting out with Hereford cattle and converting in later years to an Angus herd. They even had a few sheep in their early years. Growing up with his siblings, a lot of good memories were made and will be remembered by his nephews and nieces. When his brother Anton passed away, Ray slowed down over the past years and rented the ranch out. He was fortunate to live on the ranch until a week ago when his failing health forced him to The Evergreen in Dickinson.
Raymond is survived by his sister, Frances Traver, Portland, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Andrew and Anton; sisters, Anna Obritsch, Elizabeth Hartinger, Monica Sobo, and Emily Knudtson.
