Raymond Ellingson

On August 14, 2024, Raymond (Ray) Ellingson passed away at the age of 92 at the Manor St Joseph in Edgeley, ND.

Ray was born on December 18, 1931 to Elmer and Sarah (Tomlin) Ellingson on a farm near Edgeley, ND.  Early in his childhood, with the date kind of unknown, the family moved from the farm he was born on to the farm he grew up on and eventually ended up buying from his Dad. He attended school at the country schoolhouse near the farm and then later went to Edgeley High School, staying with his sister Edith and her family during the weekdays while in school.  On June 6, 1959, Ray was married to Dorothy (Dotty) Paulson and they took over the farm to raise a family and continue the farming operation that his Dad had started.

Ray spent most of his life farming and ranching, enjoying the freedom and embracing the struggles that came along with it. The stories he had to share with his children, relatives and friends were abundant.  Ray had several nieces and nephews that he taught the trials of living the farm life which he could have written a book about.  Chapters about growing up driving the team of horses during harvest, riding his horse to school, buying his first tractor with a cab probably would have been included as well.  Ray, with a lot of help from Dotty, raised 5 boys on that farm. He helped teach them how to make the most of your life with the help of God, work hard (even if it was for only $0.25/hour) and be respectful to others.  Even after retiring, he still stayed in touch with the farming and ranching.  He would sometimes be seen helping the land tenants with harvest or riding the 4-wheeler to help move cows home from the pasture at Wyatt and Carrie’s place.  It was his way of enjoying his life.

Ray was preceded in death by his mother Sarah, father Elmer, wife Dorothy (Dotty), sisters Frances and Barbara, brother Harold, brotherly cousin Travis and son Curt.  He is survived by his sister Edith (Ray) Laning, four sons Todd (Stacey), Edgeley, ND, Jon (Michelle), Fargo, ND, Mark, Smithton, PA, Wyatt (Carrie), Edgeley, ND, a daughter in law Brenda (Curt), 12 grandchildren including (Todd’s) Chanelle, Cody, Colter, Cauy, Kristin, (Jon’s) Dustin, Katie, Logan, (Curt’s) Miranda, Brooke, (Wyatt’s) Westen, Ethan and 12 great-grandchildren Declan, Emerie, Rowen, Gatlin, McClain, Gwendelynn, Ashton, Evelyn, Jack, Cora, Simon and Carter.

Ray’s family would like to recognize his niece, “daughter” Diane Ellingson Greiman for the special bond she had with him and all the help she did for the family in his later years and the Manor St Joseph for his care the last bit of his time with us.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that you would consider making a donation to Our Reedemers Lutheran Church or Manor St Joseph.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, August 19, 2024 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Edgeley, North Dakota with Pastor Jordan Gackle officiating.  Interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Edgeley, North Dakota.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.