Raymond Laverne Wold

Raymond Laverne Wold, age 86, of Renner, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Orchard Hills in Dell Rapids. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Renner Lutheran Church in Renner, SD. Burial will follow at Pioneer Cemetery, rural Baltic. Visitation will be Sunday, April 26, from 2 – 4PM also at Renner Lutheran Church in Renner. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Renner Lutheran Church.

Raymond Laverne Wold was born on March 1, 1940, in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, to Marie Lucile (Blestervold) and Sylvester Wold. He grew up surrounded by family and carried those values of loyalty, hard work, and kindness with him throughout his life.

At just 19 years old, Raymond married the love of his life, Sharon Marquardt, on January 14, 1960, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Together they built a life rooted in partnership, laughter, and shared adventures. They made their home in Renner, South Dakota, where they lived for more than 60 years and raised their children, Randy and Debra. Renner was not just where Raymond lived—it was where he belonged. Ray and his wife Sharon were lifelong members of Renner Lutheran Church.

Raymond worked at John Morrell for 45 years, from 1959 until retiring in 2004. He believed in showing up, doing things right, and taking pride in his work. That same dedication carried into his 40 years of service with Renner Fire Rescue, from 1968 to 2008. Helping others and supporting his community were simply part of who he was.

Ray was a gregarious person who genuinely enjoyed being around people. He loved visiting, telling stories, and sharing laughs, whether with lifelong friends or someone he had just met. He had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome, and many will remember him as someone who was simply a very nice guy—steady, dependable, and always willing to help.

Cars and racing were a lifelong passion. He was a member of the Sioux Falls Stock Car Association and worked on the pit crew for Car No. 81 and Car No. 5x at Huset’s Speedway. He took great pride in restoring his Ford Model A and a 1932 Ford Coupe and was a member of the Renner Area Car Enthusiasts. Ray and Sharon especially enjoyed traveling together to NASCAR races and classic car shows, including Back to the Fifties Weekend, Renner Days, the Canton Car Show, Kool Deadwood Nights, and Siouxland Streetrodders events. Those trips—and the road trips they took together over the years—were some of his favorite times.

Raymond also treasured fishing and hunting with his son Randy; and was a member of Ducks Unlimited. These quiet moments together meant a great deal to him. Ray and Sharon enjoyed traveling to California to visit family, always looking forward to time spent together no matter the distance.

He was known for being able to fix almost anything mechanical. If something had an engine, Raymond could usually make it run again. Friends, neighbors, and family often counted on him for help, and he never hesitated to lend a hand. Later, he turned that same work ethic into his own lawn care and landscaping business, Ray’s Kare Service, where he continued serving the community in a practical and meaningful way.

More than anything, Ray loved his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend who enjoyed time together, good conversations, and simple moments that became lasting memories.

Raymond was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sharon Wold; his parents, Marie (Sam) Tulio and Sylvester Wold; his brothers, Jerald Wold, Sylvester Wold Jr., and Richard Wold; and his sisters, Harriet Behring and Sheryl Dietz.

He is survived by his children, Randy (Jean) Wold and Debra (Guy) Biagiotti; his grandchildren, Katie Wold, Lauren Biagiotti, and Ava Biagiotti; and his sister, Colleen Ruiz—all of whom will always carry his stories, his example, and his love with them.

Ray will be remembered for his friendliness, his willingness to help others, his love of cars and road trips, and the way he made people feel at ease just by being himself. His kindness, humor, and steady presence will be deeply missed.