Raymond Thomas Gutek was born on May 24, 1945. He was the third son of Frank and Mary Gutek, and grew up on the family farm east of Hendon. Raymond passed away with his family by his side on February 9, 2017 at the Humboldt Hospital, at the age of 71. Raymond attended various country schools at which his mother was a teacher. He completed his grade 12 at Wadena High School. Raymond farmed all of his life, only leaving to work on the oil rigs in Alberta for a short time. On July 16, 1971, he married Louise Olsen and they made their life together just down the road from where he grew up. They were blessed with three children; Jeffrey, Matthew, and Lisa. Raymond expressed the importance of family, friends, and work. Together with his wife of 45 years, they passed their beliefs onto their children. He farmed with his father, brothers, sons, and son-in-law, and was very proud of that. The family farm was the center of Raymond’s universe. His days began with the rising of the sun and ended with the sunset – and sometimes many hours before and after. His mechanical abilities, welding, and building skills were self-taught all centering around “common sense” and the phrase, “it didn’t grow there.” Raymond dearly loved and supported his children and grandchildren. His world expanded to hockey, baseball, fastball, ballet, figure skating, table tennis, swimming, badminton, jazz dance, tang su-doo, piano – and he enjoyed them all. Raymond won his battle with bladder cancer, but unfortunately took ill with cirrhosis of the liver for the last five years of his life. Raymond was predeceased by his parents; Frank & Mary; his father, and mother-in-law, Chris and Mae Olsen; sister-in-law, Aloysia Gutek; brother-in-law, Wayne Drapak; grand-daughter, Allison Gutek. Left to continue to share the stories of his life are: his loving wife, Louise; son, Jeffrey (Bonnie) their daughter Avaunna; son, Matthew (Sophie) their children, Sabrina, Vivianne and Jakob; daughter; Lisa (Derek) their children, Lucas and Joshua; brothers, Philip, Ron, Harold and Lawrence; sisters, Helen & Kathryn; brother-in-law, Allen Olsen; and their families. Prayer Service 7:00 p.m. Sunday February 12, 2017 St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Wadena, Saskatchewan Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Monday February 13, 2017 St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Wadena, Saskatchewan Floral Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the family by calling 306.338.2251