The Service will begin at 10:00 a.m., but the live broadcast will open at 9:45 a.m.
Ray Louis Daigen passed away on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at the age of 81. He was born January 2, 1940 to Daniel and Helen Daigen in Geneva, Ohio. Ray attended school in Pioneer, Ohio, graduating in 1958. Ray honorably served in the Air Force for 4 years and later graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s in accounting. Ray married Carolyn Madison on June 15, 1968. They had three children together. Ray is survived by his wife Carolyn, his children, Daniel Daigen, Julie “Peeper” McGuire (Mark) and Robert “Sam” Daigen (Kelly); 3 grandchildren: Daniel Daigen Jr., Brittany Shaw (Nick) and Madison Wootan. Ray was preceded in his death by both parents and his sister Carol Popham.
Dad loved to farm, hunt and fish. He loved the outdoors and was a farm boy at heart. He farmed part-time with any spare time he could find. Ray’s first “vehicle” he purchased was a brand-new Massey Ferguson 35 S before he ever bought a car. Ray retired from the Department of Transportation in 2002 as a Budget Analyst. After retirement he took a liking to his clan of chickens and anyone that knew dad, knew about the chickens.
A viewing will be held on Friday, April 23, 2021 from 9 am to 9:45 am at Anderson Stevenson Wilke located at 3750 N. Montana. Funeral Service will be at 10 am following the viewing with graveside services at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Ray’s family would like to offer gratitude to Legacy Assisted Living in Helena where they believe Ray was given additional years of life due to their amazing care for him. Their staff enjoyed Dad and gave him the best life these last few years! Thank YOU!
Service Schedule
Viewing
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Friday April 23, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 23, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Friday April 23, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Viewing
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
Friday April 23, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Friday April 23, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Friday April 23, 2021
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Road
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Share
Sally Russell says
So sorry to read about Ray. I worked with him for many years at MDT. He was a good man and fun to visit with.
May he Rest In Peace. Thoughts and prayers with all of you.
John L Prebil says
I was Rays supervisor at the Department of Highways for many years and found Ray to be a special employee. He was kind, compassionate, very knowledgeable, and an extreme pleasure to work with. I am very sorry to read about Rays passing and wish him eternal peace.
Dave Anderson says
Dear Carolyn –
My condolences and thoughts are with you. Living across from you and having meals with Ray at Legacy, I got to enjoy him so much. He was a great guy. He will be missed by all who still live there and by the Birdseye community. Be strong during this time of loss.
Kay Donaldson says
Deepest sympathy to the family, he was a great classmate in North Central class of 1958.
John Armstrong says
Sorry to read about Ray’s passing. I worked with Ray at MDT and retired with him in 2002. “Farmer” was an intresting man to work with and I enjoyed his stories. He was a member of the Budget Section’s “Green Friday Crew” which had an interesing beginning. Rest In Peace, Ray. God Bless.
Jenny Lee Bley says
Oh ray I was so sad to hear that you passed . Working at the legacy was the best job ever. Being able to have our talks about the farm was so much fun and all the other conversation we had . You were truly a great guy . I was so honored to be able to get to know you and Carolyn . Rest easy ray
Kitty Mundt says
So sorry to hear about Ray. I worked with him at MDOT. He was so helpful and had a great sense of humor. Enjoyed visiting with him. RIP Ray.
Sarah Boyer says
My fondest memories of Ray are when he brought back his amazing smoker/bbq/grill from Oklahoma (at least I think it was Oklahoma). It was always a joy to watch him cook on it… and there was always enough food to feed an army!!! A carnivores delight!
Thank you for being a friend, you will be missed. RIP 
Although there was also the chance you might not be eating until 9pm… but no matter, it was always a good time. He would bring Carolyn to my restaurant in Helena and provided me with great stories and entertainment. And of course the chickens and his infamous chicken coop
Donna Conrad says
Will miss my cousin Ray very much.. living in Ohio, we didn’t get to see each other often. We enjoyed many phone calls, an laughed alot. What a great person he was…Rest in peace Ray…