Herbert Raymond "Ray" Bryn

The morning of December 24, 2018, our amazing uncle passed away. Herbert “Raymond” Bryn, son of Thorvald and Marit (Odegaard) Bryn was born November 14, 1919.  Ray proudly served our country during World War II and while on furlough October 25, 1944, Ray married his beautiful wife Evelyn Hegge.  Ray returned to Puerto Rico where he completed his three year enlistment. Ray and Evie made their home in Devils Lake celebrating nearly sixty-nine years of marriage before Evie passed away in 2013. Colleen Rae Bryn, born to Ray and Evie December 11, 1950, passed away in 2011 at the age of sixty.  Colleen’s passing created a huge hole in the lives of Ray and Evie. 

Ray graduated from Devils Lake High School in 1938. Boarding in town was not unusual for high school students at that time.  Ray’s mother sold her geese giving the money for Ray and his brother Merton to stay in town for high school.  Ray’s sister, Clara Bryn Moen was Ray’s teacher in his rural elementary school. 

1948, Ray began his career serving as a letter carrier for the USPS. Someone once figured out Ray had walked the equivalent of earth’s circumference.  Ray made his last delivery on city route 2 Friday, January 16, 1981.  At the time of his retirement, Ray had nearly 3,000 hours of unused sick leave. 

Evie and Ray were long standing members of St. Olaf Lutheran Church where they both served – Evie with the ladies aide and Ray as an usher. Both Evie and Ray spent countless hours fishing.  Ray probably fished with every relative at one time or another. Traveling to national parks – especially Yellowstone and Grand Teton became a regular trek for them.  Mother’s Day was usually spent with Colleen who lived in the Minneapolis area.  When possible, they all attended a Twins game in the city.  Ray was a member of the VFW, American Legion, ODD Fellows, and the Elks.  He was a founding member of the Rural Fire Department in 1960.

Ray, the man as we knew him, always appreciated kindness extended to him. Thank you to Beth Evans who picked up groceries for Ray, helped him with appointments, and taught him how to use his trusty Ipad.  He marveled at the fact he could research subjects and information from all over the world. Often he would say he felt he spent way too much time on his Ipad.  There are not many, if any, 99-year olds who could say something like that!  We cousins remember our uncle as gracious, quiet, and respected by all who met him. 

Ray is survived by his loving nieces and nephews from both the Hegge and Bryn families. Preceding him in death are:  brothers Arthur, Theodore, Merton, and Kenneth along with sisters Clara, Agnes, Olga, Ellen, Gladyce and Minnie. 

Funeral Services for Ray will be held on Monday, December 31, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.  Ray will be laid to rest with his wife Evie and daughter Colleen in the Devils Lake Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, December 31^st one hour prior to the funeral service.