Raymond Kegley

Raymond Kegley

Raymond Arvid “Ray” Kegley, the son of Neil and Margaret (Haugen) Kegley, was born June 2, 1921, in Dent, Minnesota.He died at the age of 89 years on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at the Heart of America Nursing Facility in Rugby, North Dakota.

Ray was raised in the home of his parents in Dent, Minnesota, and received his education there.On July 15, 1942, he was inducted into the U.S. Armyand served in the 3428th Ordnance Company during World War II in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, mostly in Burma.He was honorably discharged on December 8, 1945, without incident.On July, 31, 1946, Ray was united in marriage to Joan Melrose in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Following their marriage, the couple moved to Rugby for a short time, then to Wolford, where Ray went to work for Alfred Braaten for many years.He later worked for Casper Carlson driving Semi loads of grain to Minnesota.He retired from the International-Harvester Implement in Rugby as a mechanic.Following retirement, he moved to Dunseith to help his son-in-law with his farm and cattle operation.Due to failing eyesight, Ray had to quit farming at the age of 80 years, no longer able to drive the tractors.While his children were growing up, he was a 4-H Leader and was involved with raising and showing for most of his adult life, which gave him great pleasure.Joan died February 3, 2009.

Survivors include two sons, Rodney of Willow City and Dale of Rolette; three daughters, Mary and her husband Terry Halvorson of Dunseith, Bonnie and her husband Merle Enno of Minot, and Brenda and her husband Everett Kendall of Bismarck; 15 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; 13 step grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; a sister, Eleanor Grove; a brother, Milton Kegley; a step granddaughter; special friend, Erma McFarlane; and his parents.

Funeral services were held Monday, March 28, 2011, at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Rugby.Burial with full military honors was provided by the Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 Honor & Color Guard of Rugby. The North Dakota Funeral Honors Detail will be later in the spring at Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Mrs. Donna Lennon officiated.

Honorary Casketbearers were Terry Halvorson, Curt Halvorson, Galen Grove, Reuel Bundy, Lenny Ferguson, Dean Striker, Duane Olson, and Members of the Rugby Horse Show Association.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.