Raymond J. Borgerson

Raymond J. Borgerson, 80 of Devils Lake, ND died on Thursday morning, October 8, 2009 at the Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. Funeral Services for Ray will be held on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Devils Lake. Pastor Bruce Dick will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lake Region Honor Guard and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Family Share Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Ray will be his sons, Loren Borgerson and Keith Borgerson and his sons-in-law, Steven Lynn, Stuart Young and Tom Cote. Raymond Joseph, the son of Joseph and Selma (Gjestvang) Borgerson was born on December 19, 1928 in Lisieux, Saskatchewan, Canada. He attended Little Woody Country School and at the age of 16, he moved with his family to the Gjestvang Homestead, rural Pekin. He helped on the family farm and also worked for other area farmers. He worked for a South Dakota Power Company until entering the United States Army on February 20, 1951 at Fargo, ND. He served his country during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal on November 19, 1952. He returned to North Dakota and employment with the Power Company. Ray was united in marriage to Donna Hanson on September 4, 1953 at New Rockford, ND. The first year they were married Ray began working for Otter Tail Power Company and the family lived in several towns, including Bottineau, Minot, Rugby, Langdon and Devils Lake. When he went to work for Nodak Rural Electric he was stationed in Grand Forks for 1 year, Edinburg for 8 years and in 1963 moved to Devils Lake where he and Donna have made their home through the years. Ray retired in 1986 and he and Donna purchased The Bible, Book and Gift shop where Donna had been working. They eventually renamed the store “The Master’s Tools” and have continued as owners and operators. Ray was a very active member and served as an elder for several years at Bethel Evangelical Free Church. In his younger years, he served as a Boy Scout Leader and Sunday School teacher. He loved to study his Bible, leading and attending Bible study groups through the years. Ray was an avid reader, letter writer to family and friends and enjoyed photography, especially pictures of nature, the outdoors and scenic settings. Ray above all served his God, his country and his family by providing for them and loving them unconditionally and with all his heart. We have lost someone very special. Ray is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 56 years, Donna; Children: Loren Borgerson and his wife Jody of Bottineau, ND~Joni and her husband Steven Lynn of Glendive, Montana~Carol and her husband Stuart Young of Devils Lake~Keith Borgerson and his wife Cindy of Manvel, ND and Diane and her husband, Tom Cote also of Bottineau. Eighteen Grandchildren and Twelve Great Grandchildren; Sisters: Eunice and her husband Art Morlock of Hillsboro, ND and Margie Borgerson of Grand Forks; Brothers: Burton Borgerson and his wife Audrey of West Fargo and Marvin Borgerson and his wife Annette of Fessenden; Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Ray was preceded in death by his parents.