Obituary of Ray Kooistra

KOOISTRA RAYMOND

             Raymond R. ‘Ray’ Kooistra, age 89 of Yankton, SD passed away Friday, June 20, 2025 at his home.  Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, July 11, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Yankton, SD with Rev. Jeff Otterman officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the United States Marine Corps and the South Dakota Patriot Guard Riders. Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Thursday, July 10, 2025 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD with a Scripture service and memory share at 7:00 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  A Military Flag Fold and Presentation will be made by the United States Marine Corps and Flag Line by the South Dakota Patriot Guard Riders.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com.  To live stream Ray’s service, click this link: https://server.attend.live/static/event/YEQBK. 

Born October 29, 1935 to Robert and Alice (Schulz) Kooistra in Spencer, SD. The family settled in Salem, SD shortly thereafter. Ray was a competitive athlete for the Salem Cubs, football, basketball, track and baseball as a catcher, “You have the best view as a catcher”. Immediately after High School graduation in 1954 he proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving in California, Japan and Okinawa, honorably discharged;1957 – Semper Fi.

Ray then began his goal to teach and coach, via Northern State Teachers and a General Beadle graduate. Post graduate studies earned him a Master’s Degree from South Dakota State University in 1966. There was also time to marry Nelva Millar on May 31, 1959 and add a daughter Julie in 1960. They ventured to Douglas Arizona for his first teaching/coaching position. Too far away from home, Arlington, SD was his next gig for teaching until 1966 when he accepted a teaching/coaching position at Yankton Senior High School. Ray taught in the History Dept., his specialty, “Kooi-z-ology”, also known as Sociology. Coaching “soph-a-more” football, track and field. When not coaching, Ray officiated many football and basketball games. This dedication continued until Ray’s retirement in 1995.

Retirement treated Ray well, he traveled the world with Nelva, golfed (“bogey golf is good”), RiverBoat Days (Captain and Belle 1996), crossword puzzles, sitting in his porch, sporting events, the Elks Hoop Shoot, volunteering, playing cards, watching Andy Griffith and Gomer Pyle and presenting his “Golden Gloves” Award to an outstanding student/athlete in Track and Field from Yankton High School. His favorite comfort came from planting and tending his vegetable garden then canning the fruits of his labors, he continued to garden up to his last day. Ray was also a faithful servant to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Elks Lodge; donations may be directed for them.

             Ray is survived by his daughter Julie (Rod) Dominguez; grandson Taylor Dominguez; bonus grandson Alex Dominguez; great granddaughter Emma Dominguez; sister Helen; brothers Clarence (Arlene) and Arnie (Kathy); sister and brother in-law Valdona and Denny VanEmmerik; and special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by wife Nelva, parents Robert and Alice, brothers Ken and Ervin, sisters Pearl and Edna.

Those who teach others will shine like stars for all eternity.