Raymond "Ray" Anthony Christianson, 40, of Redfield, SD, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at Community Memorial Hospital Avera in Redfield.

His services will take place on Tuesday, August 9, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with family present.  His Celebration of Life service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Reverend Steven Behrens officiating.

The Celebration of Life service will be livestreamed to the funeral home's website, below Ray's obituary.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home ( www.hykefuneralhome.com ).

Ray was born December 22, 1981, in Devils Lake, ND, to Tim and Kari (Bratner) Christianson.  He was raised and educated in the Britton, SD area.  Ray moved to Aberdeen, SD in 2000 and worked in the automotive industry doing detail work.  He married Kristi Peters and to this union his two sons, Benjamin and Ian, were born.  In 2020, Ray moved to Redfield.  Ray was currently working at RDO Equipment in Redfield after working many years at Steven Lust Auto in Aberdeen.

His kids and family were the world to him.  Ray spent many countless hours with them, whether it was tinkering in the garage, playing catch, going on bike rides, attending sports activities, or just having a family night watching a movie.

Ray had a love for music.  He really enjoyed playing the guitar with his son Ben or playing X-box with his son Ian.  He enjoyed ice fishing and camping with family and friends in his spare time.  He was an amazing cook.  He was always up for a new experiment when it came to grilling, smoking, and cooking.  Small engines were a fun challenge; he always wanted to make things go faster.  The 4 ^th of July and Halloween were two favorite holidays where he made special memories with his sons.

Ray is survived by his sons:  Benjamin Christianson of Redfield and Ian Christianson of Ellendale, ND; fiancé Kayla Haigh and her children Rylan and Harper of Redfield; mother Kari (Brian) Steiner of Aberdeen; father Tim (Linda) Christianson of Forman, ND; sister Kelsey (Trevor) Gross and children Ella and Inga of Goodyear, AZ; brothers:  Cody (Alexa) Christianson and children Eli and Ella of West Fargo, ND and Tory (Jessica) Christianson and son Waylon of Fargo, ND.  He is also survived by his grandparents:  Ann Hedeen of Fargo and Norman and Rita Preble of Forman, ND; numerous aunts,  uncles, and cousins; as well as Kayla's parents, Randy and Lisa Haigh of Tulare, SD.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers:  Leon Hedeen, Donald Bratner, and Leroy Christianson.