Raymond A. Tjarks, 90, of Redfield, SD, died Saturday, May 03, 2008 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. His memorial service will be Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate. Ray was cremated and his ashes will be buried in the Rockham Cemetery at a later date. Ray's family prefers memorials directed to the United Methodist Church in Redfield or the Yelduz Shrine in Aberdeen. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Raymond was born July 13, 1917 in rural Rockham, SD to Fred and Johanna (Suter) Tjarks. He grew up in the Rockham area and graduated from Rockham High School. Ray worked for Peterson Implement in Redfield for eleven years before moving to the farm north of the Wheaton Church. Ray married Ruby Frankenstein September 13, 1970 at the United Methodist Church in Redfield. They lived on the farm until 1990 when they moved to Redfield.

Ray was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Yelduz Shrine.

Ray's favorite pastime was spending time in his shop at the farm and later at his shop in his backyard in Redfield. He was extremely talented with a metal lathe, welding and reworking anything metal. He enjoyed working on antique tractors and old equipment. He also liked to attend thrashing shows. Ray could play the guitar, banjo, violin and the button accordion and enjoyed playing and listening to music.

Ray is survived by his wife Ruby Tjarks of Redfield, his sister Mildred (Morley) Robinson of South Portland, ME; his nephew Dana Robinson and his niece Joan Christakis.

He was preceded in death by his parent, an infant brother and a nephew Brenton Robinson.