Ray Kremer, born June 16, 1935 in Butte Montana to John and Martha Kremer passed away October 1, 2020 at his home.
Ray attended Monroe School and graduated from Butte High School in 1954. After high school, he joined the Navy and traveled the world. After the Navy, he lived and attended college in Chicago Illinois. While living in Chicago he visited Wrigley Field often and attended many Cubs games. Ray was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and shared that honor with his granddaughter Kortni. One of his greatest moments was when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016.
Upon returning to Butte, he met and married Barbara Jean Hawke on October 31, 1960. On Halloween 2020, Ray and Barb would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He fondly remarked too everyone, that Barbara got tricked and he got treated. Ray’s pride and joy were his 5 children, 14 Grandchildren and 11 Great Grand Children. Every grandchild shared a special place in his heart and they had a love/hate relationship with his mustache kisses.
Ray was a hard worker. He started his working career at Victor Chemical before becoming a self- employed floor contractor for more than 40 years. Along the way, he and his wife purchased and operated the R&B Grocery for 20 years. He had many fond memories of the neighborhood and Ray never forgot a name or a face.
Ray enjoyed sports. He attended as many ball games as he could with his Buddy Randy. He played softball in his younger days and was an avid bowler for more than 50 years. He also enjoyed family vacations, camping, and later in life his lake house at Georgetown. He loved Butte and its history, telling many tales. He never let the truth get in the way of a good Butte Story. He spent his last days surrounded by his family, many good friends and all his girls from Senior Solutions. Having a Brandy with Bob or taking a ride was a highlight of his day.
Ray was survived by his wife Barbara and his 5 children, Steve (Ginny) Kremer; Kurt (Toni) Kremer; Rona (Will) Smith; Mark Kremer; Rachel (Tim) Shannon.
Sister, Doloroes (Roy) Bogetto; Sister in law, Mickey Leprowse; Brothers in Law, David Hawke and Bill Grunloh
Grandchildren: Kelly, Alisha, Kylie, Morgan, Kevin, Brian Kortni, Rasia, Willy, Michael, Joey, Brett, Sara, & AJ. Great Grandchildren: Gracie, Logan, Blake, Kelton, Fynna, Nash, Kaden, Lilyi, Ezra, Jaxon, Emma
Ray was preceded in death by his Daughter, Julie; his Parents, Martha and John; Mother and Father in Law, Bill and Virginia Hawke; Sister in Law, Donna Grunloh; and Brother in Law, Tommy Hawke.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the donor’s choice. Due to COVID19, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Ray. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Ray and his family
Ray Kremer, Age 85, of Butte
June 16, 1935 – October 1, 2020
Suni O'Boyle says
On behalf on Senior Solutions and myself,
Ray was one of a kind and we all loved him very much. Became family to our company and employee’s. Our hearts will be forever changed.Lifting you up in prayer during this difficult time.
Suni O’Boyle
Elena Nelson says
You are my Framily. I love each of you with all of my heart. I’m so sorry about Archie Bunker. He was a wonderfully onry, amazing, and passionate son of a gun. Love always Elena (Aka Auntie Big Toe)
Jeff Taylor says
Bowled with Ray for many years. It was always a pleasure. NEVER a dull moment. Great man. Rest In Peace my friend
Bill & Joanne Gerry and family says
Sorry for your loss. Ray will be deeply missed Kortni will keep on cheering on the Cubs while Ray Rest In Peace bless you
Mark Hodges says
Ray was honest, giving and real with everyone. Ray and my dad played softball together for many years. All Ray wanted was to was enjoy his friends. Ray would invite all his friends and their kids to the lake just to have a good time. Many many wonderful memories or Ray. He will be missed. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Don Merzlak says
My heartfelt condolences to Kurt and the entire Kremer family. Him and his big personality will be missed.
Laurie Horswill says
Greatest next door neighbor EVER for more then 20 years!!! He watched out for us and treated us all like family! Thank you for ALL the wonderful memories! Rest In Peace my friend…you will live on Forever in our hearts! ♥️♥️♥️ Laurie Horswill & Family
Lisa Bogetto says
Ray was my uncle, he always had a great smile and was willing to help anyone. I got to spend time with him a couple of years ago at Fairmont pool were he love to swim every day. I will miss him💕. He was truly one of a kind.
MARGARET MOGUS says
TO THE FAMILY OF RAY KREMER OUR THOUGTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS TIME SO SORRY TO HEAR OF RAYS PASSING ,HE WAS A KIND MAN HE WILL BE MISSED TAKE CARE LUV MARGI AND MARG MOGUS AND FAMILY
Teresa Bogetto says
Ray was my uncle.He truly was one of a kind.many great summer’s and holidays spent with him .to my Montana family hugs to all of you❤
Julie Carle Kent says
So sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. I enjoyed visiting with him when his grandkids played baseball with my boys. He was a good soul. Rest in peace. Thinking of you Kurt and Toni and your whole family.
Ray Mclaughlin says
Sympathy to Kurt,Toni and the rest of the Kremer family. Ray always said there weren’t enough Rays in the world. He will be missed.God Bless.
Carol and Bill Holzer says
Rona & Will, Toni & Kurt and family, I was saddened to see Ray has passed. He was one of a kind! It was a joy to have known him! Love and prayers
Anonymous says
Ray was a great brother ! I will miss our weekly phone calls. Living in Washington we did see each other alot . I was in Butte in September and thank goodness was able to spend some time with him. He was a good dad and boy he loved those grandkids he always had a story to tell me about them. Love you brother rest in peace and God Bless!
Dolores Bogetto says
I am anonymous forgot to put my name
bev becker says
Our heartfelt sympathy to the entire Kremer families. Ray was a one of a kind kind guy. He always stopped to visit no matter where he was. Hugs and Blessings to all.
Bob and Bev Becker
william j novack says
My sympathy to the Kremer families. A really Great guy
Janice K Muniz says
My love, thoughts & prayers to Barb, Kurt, Toni ,Kevin, Brian & Kortni Kremer and all of Ray’s family
He was simply the best! I will always remember him coming to the M&M when I worked there to pick up Cliff Kremer and my Uncle Mull. He would always make sure Cliff & Mull got to the Copper King baseball games on time with their blow horns in hand (lol) He had a great sense of humor. He loved Barb and his family very much. May his memories hold dear in your hearts. Rest in peace Ray.. I hope you, Cliff and Mull are at a baseball game in Heaven. Continue to watch over Barb and the family. You will be missed (((((hugs))))
Janice Muniz
Shelley Schultz Steyh says
So sorry for your loss, Ron and I are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Dawn Pennell says
So sorry for your loss! Ray was a good man. He always made sure us kids were taken care of when we brought our Monopoly money into R&B for candy.
Kimmie Gollinger says
I have many memories of Ray when I was a child I remember on Halloween he would dress up and sit on top on the R&B Grocery store and scared the crap out of us when we were trick or treating.. I always rmtgink about him this time of year because Halloween when I was a kid in our neighborhood was a great memory and Ray is a great part of that memory I’ll never forget. I know all of us kids used to go see Ray on a daily basis.. and drive him crazy at the store With buying penny candy to something our moms sent us down there to get for dinner. He was always such a kind man and all of us neighborhood kids just loved him! He will be sadly missed. I still live in the neighborhood. And always have fond memories of him and Barb. May he rest In peace. Deepest sympathy to Barb and family he was a great man!
Skip and Diane Snyder says
So sorry to hear of the loss of this wonderful man. We so enjoyed our visits to the lil corner store he owned back in the day on Oregon and California Street. He was so kind.
Anonymous says
Sorry for your loss, Ray was a Good old boy!! Like the Hell out of him. He was one of my baseball Coaches back in the day!! We bowled and tipped a few and had a lot of good laughs! Known Ray for a big part of my life and it will be saddened, with him not around :(( My deepest sympathy Bard and Family. Stephen Parko