Ida Andersen Ray

Funeral service for Ida Andersen Ray will be 10:30am Friday, January 13, 2012 at Bethleham Lutheran Chapel. Pastor Deb Grismer will be officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Mobridge, SD Saturday, January 14, 2012. A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at the church hall on Friday. Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 4-7pm Thursday at the mortuary and one hour prior to the service at the church Friday. Friends may sign her online guest book at the bottom of the page.

Ida passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital.

Ida Marie Andersen was born in Mobridge, SD to Laurence and Freda (Jacober) Andersen. As a young girl she worked with her parents' laundry business and while still in high school began working as a clerk for the Milwaukee Railroad. Part of her duties were checking each train in the rail yard. Years later she said that was quite a life experience. While working there she met Walter Ray, who was a railroad engineer. They were married in 1945 and moved to Aberdeen where they lived and raised their daughters.

Ida worked as a clerk for 52 years for first the Milwaukee and then the Burlington Northern Railroad and loved everything about railroading and the people who worked with her.

She was an active member of the Aberdeen Toastmistresses Club and a Girl Scout leader for both daughters. Ida was also a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She served on the Fair Board for a number of years and enjoyed the people she met. She was most happy on her ranch northwest of Aberdeen and especially cherished taking care of her beloved horses and all the furry creatures that came her way. She always loved the land and she truly felt at peace with nature.

Ida enjoyed spending time with her grand and great grandchildren. They brought much joy to her.

Surviving Ida are two daughters, Pat (Dan) Jett of Downey, CA and Pamela Ray (Dale Cantwell) of Denver, CO, three grandchildren, Ryan (Maggie) Jett, Amelia Cantwell-Ray and Elizabeth Cantwell-Ray and two great grandchildren, Grady and Brooks Jett.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one brother Laurence Dean Andersen. 

 

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