Ray Stutzke

Ray Stutzke, 84 of Sandpoint passed away on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015 at his home. Graveside services will be conducted 11:00AM, Monday, November 16, 2015 in Pinecrest Memorial Park, with Pastor Keith Goullette of the Northside Christian Fellowship, officiating. Following the graveside services there will be a reception at the Old Hope Lighthouse on Highway 200 in Hope, Idaho, everyone is invited. Ray was born on March 15, 1931 in Beebe, South Dakota to parents Max and Rosie Stutzke. The family later moved to Otis Orchards, WA where they had a large farm. They later resided in Hope, Idaho for many years. Ray was a third generation mason, a skill handed down and taught to him by his father. Ray was an old school master mason who knew where to split the joint. He took pride in his work and spent the extra time to do it right. Some of the more prominent projects he has done in the area are Dr. Forest Bird’s lodge on Glen Gary Bay, including sea walls, masonry columns and much more! Ray also worked on the old Hope Lite House with his father and brothers in 1948. Though privately owned today you can still drive by and see the beauty of the stone work done so many years ago. Ray and his brother Marvin installed the stone on the big BBQ at the Sandpoint City Beach still used and enjoyed today. The old Hope Fires Station is included in his father and brothers accomplishments along with so much more. Ray met Ann Weisz at Hope in 1948. They were later married in Thompson Falls, MT in 1950. For the next 65 years they remained married and raised their five children. Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting, metal detecting, gold prospecting and of course his Rock Pile. Ray is survived by his wife Ann and all of his children: Ron (Katy) Stutzke, Connie (Curt) Bucklin, Dorene (Dan) Balch, Rod Stutzke, Bob Stutzke; 4 sisters: Pearl, Freddie, Joanne, and Janyth; many grand and great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers: Calvin and Marvin Stutzke and 4 sisters: Jeanne, Marian, Shirlene, and LeAnne. The family would like to express their gratitude and a special thank you to Cathy Roberts for her kindness in caring for Ray in his final weeks.