Ray Bardell

Ray D. Bardell, 55, Jamestown, North Dakota died Saturday, February 26, 2005 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

Ray was born September 11, 1949 in Jamestown the son of Merton and Bertha (Dockter) Bardell. He was the third oldest of four boys and two girls. He attended grade school in Galchutt, North Dakota.

His family was very active in the Farmers Union Local, where he attended youth classes. He attended Farmers Union Junior Youth Camp at the 4-H Camp at Leonard, ND.

In 1964 his family moved to Kindred. He was involved in Farmers Union senior youth classwork, earning his Torchbearer award in 1968.

He graduated from Kindred High School in 1967 and started college at State School of Science at Wahpeton, graduating in 1969. He transferred to Valley City State, graduating in 1972. He taught school for two years at Reeder High School where he also coached.

Ray worked seven years on the Farmers Union summer staff during and after college.

In 1974, Ray was hired as a full time member of the NDFU field staff in Williston, serving Divide, Williams and McKenzie counties. In 1975 he was hired as NDFU assistant state youth leader. In 1976 he assumed the state youth director position. In 1979 Ray was put in charge of the NDFU young farmers program and in 1996 his title became Member Training Specialist, a position he currently held.

Ray's job was to train and educate the membership of NDFU through DDC, co-op employee schools, leaders training programs, co-op annual meetings, county conventions, leadership institute program, general membership meetings and many other programs.

Ray Bardell and Lucinda Wiest were married March 18, 1995. He was quoted to say he was very lucky because he got to ""Marry a Farmers Union Girl.""

Ray was very proud to work for an organization that he truly believed in. Farmers Union was a part of his life from beginning to end.

He was a member of Atonement Lutheran Church, Jamestown and an Eagle Scout. His hobbies included all sports, but he especially enjoyed fishing.

Ray is survived by his wife, Lucy of Jamestown, mother, Bertha Bardell, Jamestown, three brothers, Lester of Moorhead, MN; Gene (Cheryl), Jamestown and Steve (Abby), Mandan, ND and two sisters, Bonna (James) Rasset, Ortonville, MN and Faye (Larry) Bough, Baxter Springs, KS, 12 nieces and nephews and 4 great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and one niece, Suzanne.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the NDFU Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.Funeral Service: 10:00 AM, Thursday, March 3, 2005 at Atonement Lutheran Church, Jamestown with Pastor Steve Berntson officiating.

Visitation: 1:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at the Eddy Funeral Home.

Burial: Highland Home Cemetery, Jamestown, North Dakota.

On-line guestbook at eddyfuneralhome.com