Ray Lanier age 53, of Mitchell, died Saturday, November 22, 2008 at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls as a result of a brain aneurism. Funeral services will be 10:30AM Wednesday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.

Raymond Edward Lanier was born April 15, 1955 in Gary, IN to Ellis and Carlene (Judson) Lanier. He grew up in Gary and moved to Mitchell in 1972 where he graduated from Mitchell Senior High in 1973. After graduation he was an insurance agent for Modern Woodman and then worked in maintenance at the Holiday Inn.

He married Gayle Degen on June 23, 1993 in Mitchell where they made their home. Ray worked maintenance at Dakota Pork for 12 years, Boyd's for 2 years, and continued working maintenance at Performance Pet Products until the time of his death.

Ray was a loving and generous man. He enjoyed spending time with his many grandchildren. He dedicated his life to his wife, family, and friends.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Gayle of Mitchell; parents Ellis Lanier of Georgia and Carlene Judson of Indiana; children Casey Degen and wife Tracy of Tea, SD, Carey Degen, Corey (Lacy Bollock) Degen, Courtney (Tammy Kreth) Stork, Christa Stork all of Mitchell, Lance Elliot of San Jose, CA, Shawn Lanier of Sacramento, CA and Amy Lanier of Mount Shasta, CA; brother Bret Chastain of Indiana and sister Kathy Anderson of Indiana and 17 grandchildren.

Preceded in death by a sister Debbie Rodriguez and father in law Leo 'Bud' Degen.