Gerald H. Raat

Our beloved father, Gerald H. Raat, passed through the veil into the loving care of our Heavenly Father on Monday, June 6, 2011. He left us, his children and our mother, his wife, friend and sweetheart with broken hearts, but also with precious and lasting memories of a perfect father and husband. He was always there for us in good times and also during our trials. His knowledge and wisdom always provided us with immeasurable advice, which will carry us through the rest of our lives.

Dad married Mom, Grace Barry, in 1967 and together they built a loving, compassionate home for us. Dad instilled in us a love of learning and when we complimented him on his abundant and varied knowledge, he laughed and said he was loaded with useless knowledge. No way, Dad!

Dad was a prolific reader. He was very proud to be an educator who retired from the Ogden School District as Assistant Superintendent after 31 years in the educational system. Although he held many administrative positions, he always referred to himself as a teacher. "Every successful person," he said, "started a career with a teacher." His dedication to his country, to his community and to his students, which are too many to mention, but some of them are: He served during the Korean conflict, continued his education and received an Ed.D. He loved working for the Forest Service during the summer months and felt a spiritual connection while roaming the mountains, studying wild flowers, and rocks and having a fishing pole in his hands. He was always looking for a fishing hole where he was sure he would catch the "big one."

Dad is a High Priest in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a member of the Old Post Ward.

Dad is survived by his sweetheart and wife, Grace, his daughters, Susan Petersen, Geraldene Toone, Kendell Norgaard and Allyson Hodgins and 17 grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister, Eleanor Newman.

Our special and grateful thanks to the doctors and medical staff at McKay-Dee Hospital who not only used their medical expertise in taking care of Dad, but we know they also felt the family''s pain with Dad''s passing.

The family will greet friends on Monday, June 13th from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd.

Burial services with military honors will be private.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation can contribute to the Shriners'' Children''s Hospital, Fairfax Road at Virginia Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84103.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com