Son of the Red River Valley, Raymond G. Dorsher, age 72, passed away Monday January 3rd, 2022, in the loving presence of his two children Nicholas and Alixandra.

Ray Dorsher, the son of Harold and Patricia (Newark) Dorsher was born May 6, 1949, in Grand Forks, ND. He graduated from St. James High School in 1967. Following graduation, Ray attended the University of North Dakota where he received degrees in Political Science, Broadcast Journalism, and Psychology. He worked for Glass and Paint, KNOX radio and devoted 28 years to a career as Shop Manager and Safety Director for Agassiz Enterprises.

Ray could be found on many a Saturday afternoon hanging out with his siblings at the KC's enjoying a burger and beer before settling into his chair at home with a good book or crossword puzzle listening to the Saturday evening broadcast of Prairie Home Companion. The eldest of 6, Ray valued family above all and loved attending all the Dorsher picnics at University Park as well as every chance he had to support the sports endeavors and hobbies of his grandchildren. Ray had many hobbies and interests including folk music, writing, fishing, golf, and hockey, all of which remained part of him until the end.

In 2015, Ray, newly retired, went on a 'grand adventure'. He drove west through the badlands of North Dakota, stopping to experience all he could of Yellowstone and the mountains of Montana to come, finally to dip his toes in the North Pacific Ocean. Pictures he took and friends he made along the way were forever cherished by him and mused over as good medicine on cold nights back in the plains of the Red River Valley. Like any gentleman when in the company of another set of ears, he enjoyed telling stories of his experiences with detail and enthusiasm that made you wish you could have been there. Still, his fondest memories to reminisce on were of those a bit closer to home… summer visits to the lakes of Minnesota, various museums, and especially those annual trips to the Winnipeg Folk Festival where he could share his love of art, history and music with crowds of like-minded people and any family member lucky enough to join him.

Ray was forever a teacher and student with a firm belief that what good may be done by a man, must be done, and would never back down from a fight worth having. In the final year of his life, he heroically stood his ground against cancer, knee replacement, and the pandemic to give his family the comfort of one more Christmas -his favorite holiday- with him, and a prayer for hope in the new year. His courage and strength of spirit will continue as a beacon to his loved ones.

" The last ray of sunshine (found) its way through a maze of distant monoliths to light the pathway home "

-Raymond Dorsher 1987

Ray is survived by his son, Nick (Becky) Dorsher and daughter, Alixandra; his brother, John Dorsher, sisters, Maureen Dorsher, Joan (Ray) Lembke, and Julie Dorsher-O'Shaughnessy and five grandchildren, Jack, Grace, Peter, William and Gryffin. He was preceded in death by his mother Patricia, father Harold, and his brother Dan.

Celebration of Life: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 16, 2022, in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Sunday.
Interment: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.