Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel on Friday from 5-7 p.m. with a wake at 7:00 p.m.

Brian passed away January 10, 2026 at his home in Hecla, surrounded by his family.

Brian Ray was born on June 13, 1961 in Britton to Charles Duane “Duke” and Patricia Jean (Dunne) Nietert. He attended school in Claremont and graduated from Langford High School in 1979. Brian continued his education at the University of Morris in Minnesota and later transferred to Northern State University. Brian worked for Northland Feeders and the Groton Vet Clinic, all while farming. Brian was united in marriage to Jean Rasmussen on June 5, 1982 and together they were blessed with three daughters. Along with farming, he would later become a machinist at Rapid Precision Manufacturing in Britton; a job he truly enjoyed thanks to the people he worked with. Brian and Mary began their life together in 2021 and made their home in Hecla.

Brian was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He was also passionate about horse riding and roping. He enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and NDSU football team, woodworking and loved all animals, especially his dogs. In earlier years he played softball for Claremont and was a volunteer firefighter in Claremont and Hecla.

Celebrating his life are his three daughters, Anna (Tim) Plesuk of Fargo, Charlie (Garth) Sayers of West Fargo, Kaitlyn Christofferson of Summit, 7 grandchildren, Grace and Colton Plesuk, Bennett and Reese Sayers, Grey, Emery and Mila Christofferson, his significant other, Mary Freudenthal of Hecla, his siblings, Charla (Wendell) Rye of Claremont, Barbara Nelson of Aberdeen, Jolaine Fitch of Aberdeen, Chuck (Jeanette) Nietert of Sioux Falls, Jill (Denis) Meyer of Lester, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, and his son-in-law, Steven Christofferson, and his nephews, David Rye and Logan Klebsch.

Honorary Urnbearers will be all of Brian’s grandchildren and his nieces and nephews. Family prefers memorials to the Hecla Volunteer Fire Dept, 206 Main Street, Hecla, SD 57446 or Hecla Sportsmen Club, 10464 395th Ave. Hecla, SD 57446. www.paetznick-garness.com