Ray Christiaens, Owner of Cattlemen's Meat Company & DTJ Insurance and Real Estate

June 27, 1962 -- May 28, 2018

Ray Christiaens, entrepreneur and resident of Kevin, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 28, 2018, at the age of 55, while working at the family cabin on Echo Lake. 

Mass of the Resurrection was held Tuesday, June 5 at St. Margaret’s Church. Private burial services will be held at a later date.

For Ray, the mountains were always calling as he found his most joyful times on Echo Lake with family and friends. Ray was motivated to continue his successful businesses, spend quality time with his loved ones, and spoil his new grandson. 

In his last days, he was spiritually influenced to plan for his family and businesses’ future. Ray came across as strong which quickly blended with his relentless sense of humor and determination. He helped you to believe in yourself and in others, an innate gift to see the potential of greatness in every soul. Ray’s giving spirit continued as his vital organs were donated to those in need. A true gentleman, God was definitely showing off when He created Ray. He is greatly missed. Ray’s laugh and love has forever changed us.

 Ray will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 33 years, Shawn (Burney) Christiaens; his children, Kate Savage (Brian) of Nampa, Idaho, Angie Christiaens of Superior, and her fiancée, Bradley Armour; and one grandson, Luke Savage. Ray is also survived by his sisters, Donna (Jeff) Ellsworth, Jean (Roy) King, Beverly (Russell) Wilson, Juanita (Landis) Meeks, Janet (Johnny) Stokes, and Becky (Todd) Rathbun; brothers, Ken (Judy) Christiaens, Rod (Jackie) Christiaens, Dean (Ann) Christiaens, and Kurt (Tassie) Christiaens; and his sister-in-law, Sheryl (Burney) Cook and brother-in-law Steve Burney. 

Ray was predeceased by his parents, Don and Margaret Christiaens; brother, Keith Christiaens; grandparents, Maurice and Jeanette Christiaens, and Martin and Mary Evers.

• Ray was not always an easy man to work for. He pushed, cajoled and allowed his employees to do the very best they were capable of.  He never asked an employee to do something that he himself would not do, whether that meant picking up trash or pushing through to complete, correctly, a task on time. He always encouraged employees to THINK and to do the best job they were capable of. If you could show that your idea was an improvement to the task at hand, changes were made and he credited the employee with the idea for the improvement. It was an honor and a privilege to have known and worked for him.

  Larry Knudsen