Maurice L. "Moe" Railing

Maurice Leroy “Moe” Railing, 78 of Devils Lake formerly of Lansford, ND passed away on Sunday morning, May 7, 2017 at Medina House in Mesa, Arizona in the care of his family and Hospice. Maurice was born in Lansford, ND, on October 14, 1938, to Norris E. Railing and Mildred (Richardson) Railing Kovarick.  He graduated from Lansford High School in 1956 where he played basketball and baseball for the Lansford Cubs. He played 4 years of basketball and baseball at Minot State Teachers College where he was all conference in basketball his junior and senior year.  He graduated from Minot State in 1960, with his degree in teaching and coaching.   Maurice was united in marriage to Joanne Rosalie Undlin on September 4, 1960. They moved to Flaxville, Montana, where he started his high school teaching career and was the high school basketball coach.   In 1961 they moved to Fessenden ND, where Maurice continued his teaching career and coaching high school basketball at Fessenden High School until moving to Devils Lake in the fall of 1966.  Maurice taught Science and Physical Education at Devils Lake High School until he retired in 1993 after the death of his wife Joanne.  During his time at DLHS he coached high school Boys basketball, was the Athletic Director, and also coached Junior High basketball where he enjoyed teaching the fundamentals of basketball to young kids.  Maurice was a referee official for high school and college basketball and also high school football during his teaching years.  He was a very respected coach and official in North Dakota and he thoroughly enjoyed mentoring young officials, athletes and young people in general. Maurice continued to enjoy playing sports after college.  He played Men’s Amateur Basketball and Softball for the Knights of Columbus Men’s fast pitch softball team that provided fun summers of traveling to softball tournaments with his family.  In 2002 he was inducted into the North Dakota Softball Hall of Fame.   Maurice enjoyed being at the golf course and playing a round of golf.  He was a passionate card player and enjoyed playing pinochle, gin and cribbage with anyone who was willing to sit at the card table with him.  Maurice was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Elks Lodge in Devils Lake. On October 21, 2000, Maurice married Eileen Shipley.  They have spent the last 19 winters in Mesa, AZ, where he loved to golf, played and coached the Towerpoint slow pitch softball team, and enjoyed playing cards with his AZ friends.  He was involved in the Squires which is a philanthropic group that helped out many organizations in the community.  Maurice is survived by his wife Eileen Railing, brother Mervin Railing of Fort Collins, Colorado, children: Randy (Penny) Railing of Fargo, Debby (Jay) Hildebrand of Hiawatha, IA, Kendall (Chaundra) Railing of Fargo, Denise (Matt) Hartze of Grand Forks, fifteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. Step children Mark (Becky Olson) Shipley and Donna (Bob) Reierson of Devils Lake, Charlene (Terry) Peterson and Scott (Barb) Shipley of Fargo, Trent (Angie) Shipley of Rockford, MN, Jeff (Maria) Shipley of Christine, nine step grandchildren and six step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Norris, mother Mildred, wife Joanne and nephew William (Billy) Railing. Funeral Service for Maurice will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Lori Broschat officiating. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday, May 16th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Graveside Services will be held on Wednesday, May 17th at 4:30 p.m. at the Lansford Cemetery, rural Lansford, ND.    Memorials may be directed to the Creel Bay Golf Course in memory of Moe. `.