Ray Gackle

Ray H. Gackle, age 83, a resident of Frederic died January 25, 2015. Ray was born on November 6, 1931 in Fredonia, North Dakota to Daniel and Ida Gackle. He attended country school in Fredonia for his early education and then later attended high school in Dickey, North Dakota. After graduating from high school, he drove truck for Collins Gravel out of Fargo, North Dakota until 1951. Ray served in the US Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in February of 1954. After his discharge from the service, he went to St. Paul where he was employed at Remington Rand Univac. On May 28, 1960 Ray married his wife, LouAnn at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. They moved to Dickey, North Dakota where they farmed his parents farm until 1969, when they moved to Frederic and purchased their own farm. Along with farming, Ray was employed by Hartzell Manufacturing Company in the shipping and receiving department where he worked for 26 years before retiring in 1995. Ray’s love for farming continued long after his retirement. He was tenderhearted and loved animals. He enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. He also enjoyed watching sports, bird watching and working on crossword puzzles. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; infant grandson Austin; brothers Russell and James; and sister Mildred. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife LouAnn; four children Sharom (Mark) Rasmusson, Greg (Pam) Gackle, Nancy (Joe) Stepaniak and Jeanne (Lonnie) Erickson; eight grandchildren Jeremy (Alicia), Jeffrey, Cory, Katelyn, Kallie, Bradley, Brian and Brett; three great grandchildren Trey, Blaise, Arianna and his brother Lloyd; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM (visitation 9-11 AM) at Lewis United Methodist Church with Pastor Gil White officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Cory Stepaniak, Jeremy Gackle, Jeffrey Gackle, Bradley Erickson, Brian Erickson, Brett Erickson, Katelyn Stepaniak and Kallie Stephaniak. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Siren. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com