Raymond F. "Ray" Schaefer

Raymond F. "Ray" Schaefer

Raymond F. "Ray" Schaefer of Grand Forks, ND passed away with his family by his side on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at Altru Hospital from complications due to influenza.

Raymond Francis Schaefer was born November 28, 1933 in Grand Forks, ND the eldest of 8 children, the son of Raymond T. and Ruth (Bohlman) Schaefer. Ray graduated from Reynolds High School in 1951 and played basketball for the Reynolds Rockets. He was drafted and served in the United States Army, honorably discharged in 1955.

In 1959, Ray founded Schaefer Insurance Agency in Grand Forks. He was an innovator of the concept of economy motels for businessmen and truckers and established the Econ-o-tel motels of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. Ray was also a partner in Liberty Lanes of East Grand Forks.

Ray married the love of his life, Iva Jeanette Frederikson on October 14, 1955. Ray was an active member in many local and national organizations. He was instrumental in the development of the Grand Forks Country Club Junior Golf Program through which many successful golfers emerged.

Iva and Ray wintered for many years at their home in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Ray had a deep love for his family and a passion for the game of golf. He enjoyed nothing more than spending time on the golf course with his family and the many dear friends he met along the way. Although he didn't pick up a golf club until his early thirties, he became a very competitive golfer and a two time State Seniors Champion. Ray was inducted into the North Dakota Golf Hall of Fame in 1998. During his golfing career, he carded 8 holes-in-one and served on the boards of the Grand Forks Country Club and North Dakota Golf Association. We have lost a great man, husband, father, grandfather and friend

Ray is survived by his wife; Iva; a daughter, Vicky Lind, Cincinnati, OH; sons, Gregg (Susie), Jeff (Pam Beck), Todd (Jacquie), all of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Chad, Ryan, Tyler, Nickolaus and Lindsay; siblings, Mary Ann Johnson, Reno, NV; Carole Hart, Hughesville, MD; David (Carole) Schaefer, Madison, WI; Jane (Ron) McGlynn, Surprise, AZ; Michael (Paulette) Schaefer, Bemidji, MN; sister-in-law, Rita (Gerald) Schaefer, Grand Forks, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, John and Gerald.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association ND/MN 7900 W 78th St, Suite 100 Minneapolis, MN 55439.

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 14, 2013 in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the liturgy in the church on Monday.

Burial: Calvary Cemetery North, Grand Forks, ND, in the spring.

Military Honors: Members of the American Legion Post 157, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota National Guard in the spring.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com

(The Historic Norman Funeral Home, 2950 South Washington Street, Grand Forks, ND)

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