Raymond Mike Geis

April 23, 1925 - March 21, 2014

Raymond Mike Geis of Lewiston passed away Friday, March 21, 2014, at Life Care Center of Lewiston. He was 88.

Dad was born April 23, 1925, outside of Cottonwood, on the family farm of Mike and Anna (Poxleitner) Geis. As was common in those days, dad finished school at an early age and started working on the local farms and logging operations. He volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1944 and was a rifleman during the invasion of the Philippines. His primary duty was that of scouting ahead of the main force looking for the enemy. In this capacity dad saw extensive combat and for his service he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Leaving the Army in 1946, dad came back to the Prairie that he loved and again started working on farms and in the woods. On April 23, 1949, dad married our beautiful mother, Martha Reidhaar at Holy Family Church in Clarkston. They remained happily married until her passing March 11, 2008. Mom and dad had two daughters, Bonnie (Lyle) Reimers, born in 1950, followed by Linda (Brett) Olin in 1952. Dad had three grandsons, Slade Byers of Spokane, Matt Peterson of Lewiston and Jake Riggs of Clarkston.

Dad worked at Potlatch Forests Inc. from the mid-1950s until his retirement in 1987. His last position at Potlatch was in the maintenance department. During his long retirement he enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, hunting and gathering firewood for the coming winter. He also enjoyed frequent visits to his brother George's ranch on the Prairie and his sister Margie's and niece Shirley's home in Orofino. He also loved attending family reunions. His good friend Jim was his companion on many of these trips and did his best to keep dad young. Dad loved dogs. Willie, Sackett, Micky and Annie were just a few of his special buddies over the years.

Dad came from a large family and was the last surviving son. He was preceded in death by brothers John, Xavier, Martin, Johnny (deceased 1918), Joseph and George; and sisters Ann McKinley and Mary Brown. His surviving sisters are the twins, Frances Nuttman and Grace Remacle, Martha Reiman, Rosie Steiger, Margie Gentry and Rita Walker.

As a lifelong member of the Catholic Church, dad is leaving behind many friends from St. James Parish. These friends and acquaintances have been very supportive of dad since the passing of our mother and in his declining health. They all have been a great comfort to him.

Local arrangements are with Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home of Lewiston. A viewing will be at 5 p.m. Friday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston. The rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. James Catholic Church, 1519 Ripon Ave., Lewiston, and a Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Graveside services will be at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens, 3521 Seventh St. in Lewiston.