Raymond Eugene Palmer, 95, was born on November 5, 1927 to Clifford and Doris Palmer at the Republic of Kansas which is on the Kansas/Nebraska border.  He attended country grade school and high school in Chester, Nebraska.  He married Beverly Griffith Cavanaugh on April 4, 1969, and they had two sons, Mike and Tim.  He was drafted into the Army and served from October 1950 to October 1952.  After his discharge, he lived in Minot, North Dakota where he owned and operated several businesses while also traveling to Kansas to work with the combine harvest crew.

In 1955, he started Palmer Sodding and Landscaping in Minot, North Dakota.  In 1963, he relocated his business to Rapid City, South Dakota and started Palmer Sod Farm. After a few years, he opened a greenhouse and manufactured patio block. In the winter months, he worked at a number of missile sites as a millwright and also sold Christmas trees, wreaths and Holiday Delight decorations.  He always looked forward to seeing new and repeat customers.  He worked with the sod farm and Christmas tree sales until his health deteriorated and he was unable to work.  He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and The Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Some of his greatest pleasures were spending time at his farm in the Nisland and Vale area, South Dakota, and hunting and fishing with family and friends.  He was very engaged with Boy Scout Troop #52 and joined the troop on many trips.  He thoroughly enjoyed working with the scouts and attending their meetings.  In 2018, his military service was honored by traveling with Midwest Honor Flight Mission 3.  It was a very meaningful trip with his sons serving as guardians for the crew. He also enjoyed playing cards, dominos, Sequence, and many other games.

Raymond will be most remembered for his gardening abilities, his love for farming and the outdoors, teaching the family good work ethics and spending time with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly, his son Michael (Debie) Palmer and their children, Derrick (Christina) Gabrielson, Zachariah (Jaime) Palmer, Gabriel (Athena) Palmer; and son Timothy (Jamie) Palmer and their children Dr. Mykayla (Jake) Vollmer and Morgan Palmer (Clay Wittmeier); six great grandchildren Isaac, Layton, Xander, Coy, Madison and Ellee;  brother-in-law Duane Hojer, sister-in-law Marilyn Palmer, and many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward and Richard Palmer, sisters Virginia Hojer and Charlotte Hendricks, sister-in-law Norma Palmer and great granddaughter Brynlee Palmer.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at Westminster Church.  Coffee and light refreshments will follow at church and burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 11:30 a.m.  A reception will follow the services at Generations Weddings and Events, 7775 Palmer Ln. Rapid City, SD 57702.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Midwest Honor Flight.