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Ray C. Siemers • 1919 - 2003 Ray C. Siemers, 83, Bowbells, died Sunday, June 29, 2003, in a Mohall nursing home. Ray was born September 17, 1919, on the family farm near Bowbells, ND, the son of Ferdinand and Louise Siemers. He was raised and educated in the Bowbells area and graduated from Bowbells High School in in 1937. He worked in the local grocery store during high school and for a while after graduation. Ray moved to California and worked for a time in a grocery store. In November of 1941, 30 days before Pearl Harbor, Ray enlisted in the United States Army and served during WWII. He was stationed at Fort McArthur in Long Beach, CA, Jefferson Barracks, MO, and Chinook Field in Illinois. Ray took cadet training to become a pilot and later became a flight instructor for cadets. He flew the B-29 while he was stationed in Tinian, Mariana Islands. Ray married Maxine Gorman June 10, 1944, while stationed in South Carolina. He was honorably discharged in January of 1946, and the couple moved to North Dakota. He began working as a mechanic for Durick Brothers in Columbus, and also helped with the farming operation. In 1956 they moved to Bowbells where he owned and operated Ray's Fairway until 1968. He also worked for Burke County on the road crew, the potash plant at Northgate, and farmed with Kevin Durick. Ray was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bowbells. He was a member of the Bowbells Commercial Club, the Lions, and a member of the Kenmare Last Man's Club. He enjoyed gardening and in his earlier years he loved golfing. Ray and Maxine spent 20 plus years wintering in Mesa, AZ. Survivors: Wife, Maxine, Mohall; childen, Judith (Dean)
Koppelman, Dickinson, Jeffrey (Janis) Siemers, Lakeville, MN,
and Nancy (Jim) Rice, Bowbells; six grandchildren, Eric and Taryn
Koppelman, Jackie and Dustin Siemers, Kelli and Jay Rice; brother,
Bill Siemers, Long Beach, CA; sister, Helen Durick, Columbus;
numerous nieces and nephews survive. He was preceded in death
by his parents, Ferdinand and Louise; brothers, Edmund, Victor
and Harry Siemers; sisters, Elsie Koch and Louella Green. Vigil Prayer Service: Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Bowbells. Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but friends may sign the register prior to the vigil service Wednesday and prior to the funeral mass on Thursday, both at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bowbells. Burial: Bowbells Cemetery, Bowbells, ND. Lector: Jay Rice Music: Processional Hymn, "Amazing Grace" |