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RAYMOND WILLIAM SIEMENS
Date of Passing: Dec 16, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryRAYMOND WILLIAM SIEMENS
Raymond William Siemens, a passionate leader in Canada's cooperative agricultural sector and beloved family man, passed away peacefully at Eastview Place in Altona, Manitoba, on December 16, 2025, at the age of 93.
Born in 1932 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ray lived a life informed by strong family connections, innovations in farming, and deep belief in the value of community service.
Ray was the fourth child of Jacob Johann (J.J.) Siemens and Maria Heinrichs. Growing up on a large family farm just north of Altona, there were always many people around - aunts, uncles, hired men, siblings, grandparents, visiting educators, provincial leaders. Farm life and a rural upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and passion for agriculture. As an adolescent he loved working on the family farm; when his parents would leave on extended trips, he and his older sister, Irene, would keep the farm going. They would spend their evenings with their younger sister, Edith, reading books and listening to CBC radio. His children never heard him complain about the work that needed to be done when he was young.
Ray’s early school years were spent in a one room school in Schoenthal. Later, he went to school in Altona, and then to the Mennonite Collegiate Institute in Gretna, where he was inspired to love classical music by his teacher, Neil Zacharias. His love of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart (in that order!) continued all his life. Ray grew up in a family of readers, surrounded by books, encouraged to read all kinds of literature late into the night. He always regarded education as a way to improve the world. As a young man he attended the University of Manitoba where he received a Diploma of Agriculture. In later years, he often mentioned that his favourite memory of his time there was the series of lectures in communications taught by the young playwright, and war refugee, John Hirsch. Following a brief stint working in Alberta, Ray returned to Manitoba in the mid-1950s to manage the family farm. Inspired by his father, J.J. Siemens, who he greatly admired, he began his lifelong involvement in the cooperative movement.
In 1954, Ray married Dorothy Wiens (Horndean, Manitoba), and together they built a life on the Altona farm, raising five children amid the rhythms of rural Manitoba. Following in his father's footsteps as a pioneer in cooperative development, Ray’s life became one of complete dedication to the global cooperative movement, traveling to Russia, India, Europe, and Central America as part of numerous delegations. He participated in a leadership role in many cooperative organizations. A defining role came in 1962, when he succeeded his late father as president of Co-op Vegetable Oils (CVO) in Altona, a sunflower and oilseed processing plant established in 1946. Under his leadership, CVO evolved into CSP Foods, later becoming part of Bunge, and played a key role in diversifying Manitoba's agricultural economy through rapeseed (canola) processing and farmer education.He served as a director on the board of Manitoba Pool Elevators for many years. His influence extended nationally as president of the Co-operative Union of Canada (now Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada). His efforts focused on sustainability, economic equity for rural producers, and community welfare, reflecting the progressive vision of cooperatives as tools for social good.
After retiring from farming in 1986, Ray and Dorothy relocated to Peachland, British Columbia, where they enjoyed their view of Lake Okanagan. For many years, he made daily walks down the mountain into town and then back up again. They traveled together during the winter months and looked forward to visits from their children, and later their grandchildren. Always connected to farm life, they returned to Manitoba during spring seeding and fall harvest each year. Following Dorothy’s death in 2015, Ray moved back to Altona to be with his family. He continued to visit
B.C. several times each year. When in Manitoba he kept busy; he mowed the farm lawn and the ditches around the home section, he transported his sons from field to field, and still drove the combine into his late eighties. He also made daily trips to Winkler so that he could catch up with his Tim Hortons friends. Even during his last summer, he would be driven around the home section to check out the progress of this year’s crops as well as the changes happening at the vegetable oil plant. When he was driven past the Co-op Grocery store, he always asked how the store was doing. On one of his last drives around town he went to visit the bust of his father which is located in the sculpture garden in Gallery in the Park.
Ray is survived by his five children: Steve Siemens, David Siemens, Lisa Siemens, Chris Siemens (Deb), and Tim Siemens (Janet); grandchildren, Will, Sam, Chloe, Alex, and Nicholas; sister Irene Stobbe (Gordon), Nanaimo, B.C.; sister Edith Sharratt (Norman), Comox, B.C.; brother-in-law Cornie Wiens (Betty Ann), Bloomington, Minnesota; sister-in-law Diana Funk (Ron), Mississauga, Ontario; and Irene Spiers (Doug), Niverville, Manitoba. He was predeceased by his parents; wife Dorothy; and siblings, Viola Andreas (Paul) and John Waldo Siemens (Pauline).
The family extends gratitude to the staff at the Gardens on Tenth in Altona, the Altona hospital, and Eastview Place and the Care Incorporated Handi-van drivers for the many acts of kindness shown to our father.
Ray's life exemplified quiet dedication to family and community, leaving a lasting impact on Manitoba's cooperative movement.
(A private family service will be held in Altona at a later date.)
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ray’s memory may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee or a charity of one’s choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2025