Trending
Dec. 11, 1943-Oct. 16, 2026
Minot
Ray Schwarz, 82, Minot and formerly of Hazen died on Friday, October 16, 2026 in a Minot assisted living center. His loving family was at his side.
Raymond Mathaus Schwarz was born on December 11, 1943 in Hazen, ND to William and Esther (Scheid) Schwarz. He was raised and educated in Hazen and graduated from Hazen High School in 1961. As a young adult Ray worked construction and served in the North Dakota Army National Guard from 1966 until July of 1971. This time included his service helping lead the charge at Zip to Zap which he loved to share with others.
Ray married Priscilla Chase on December 27, 1968 in Bismarck, ND. They made their home in Mandan where Ray was employed by Coca Cola eventually becoming a salesman. The family moved to Minot in 1974 where Ray was employed by Aslesens Inc for twelve years prior to accepting a position with U.S. Food Service as a salesman for twenty-five years until his retirement in December of 2010.
Ray was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot where he was an Elder and member of a Bible Study. He especially enjoyed yard work, attending sporting events, telling stories and jokes, and any time he could spend with his grandchildren. He made genuine connections with all those that he came in contact with, especially those at the various restaurants he served and with the staff at Somerset, First Light, and all the health staff that worked to make his last days better.
Ray's loving family includes his wife of 57 years Priscilla; children: Jason (Keshia) Schwarz of Minot, Justin (Sara) Schwarz of Bismarck and Allison (Patrick) Torbit of Minot; grandchildren: Hayden, Kinley, Kiera and Perry; step grandchildren; siblings: Otto (Connie) Schwarz of Hettinger, ND and Marietta (Warren) Sakshaug of Grand Rapids, MI as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Alfried Schwarz, Norma Summerfield and Irene Hopfinger.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot. A livestream of the service may be accessed by using the link in the website obituary.
Interment: Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the North Dakota Veteran's Cemetery - rural Mandan.
Visitation: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Lutheran Church - Minot.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.thomas family funeralhome.com.
Published by The Minot Daily News, Oct. 20, 2026.