Raymond D. GEIST

1933 - 2021

Raymond D. "Ray" Geist, age 88, of Roseville, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN, due to respiratory complications of rheumatoid arthritis. Ray was born on July 4, 1933 in Cincinnati, OH, the fifth of five children born to Carl and Lydia Geist; one brother, Gene, survives. He married the love of his life, Audrey Gay Miller, on June 14, 1958; she survives. Their 63-year marriage was blessed with four children, Joel (Rhonda) Geist, Julie (Mark) Drew, Elizabeth (Richard) Wehrs, and Timothy (Katie) Geist; 10 grand children and 8 great-grandchildren. A life-long learner, Ray entered Concordia Preparatory School in Bronxville, NY, subsequently earning Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He went on to earn two Master of Arts degrees and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Minnesota; in later years he enjoyed graduate-level courses at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul. Ray was ordained as pastor in the Lutheran Church on July 6, 1958, and served congregations in River Falls, WI; West Lafayette, IN; and for many years, Peace Lutheran in Lauderdale, MN. He considered his work as pastor to be a tremendous privilege, and he and Gay deeply enjoyed many friendships that resulted from their service to Christ's Church. Retiring in July, 1995, Ray continued to revel in life's blessings: his dear wife, their expanding family, and their many interests, including cooking, reading, birding, Scrabble, hiking/ backpacking, writing, and sporting a stylish bowtie. Ray was a kind, compassionate and caring man who will be greatly missed by many who knew and loved him. Memorials preferred to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection (ELCA), Roseville, MN. A service will be held in the future.