Raymond "Ray" Gartner, 71, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at his home in Grand Forks.

Raymond LeRoy Gartner was born on August 9, 1948 in Minot, ND the son of Arthur and Hildur (Kerzman) Gartner. He was raised and educated in Turtle Lake, ND. Raymond enlisted in the United States Air Force on July 25, 1967 and served in the Vietnam War. While stationed in Grand Forks, he met his future wife, Rose Grandboise. Ray and Rose were married on July 16, 1971 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, MN. He was honorably discharged from military service on July 23, 1971 at the Grand Forks Air Force Base. For a period time, he was employed in the oil fields of western North Dakota. While living in Grand Forks, Ray was employed with Motor Coach Industries (American Flyer) in Pembina, ND.

Ray was a 51 year member of the American Legion Post #133 in Turtle Lake, ND. He enjoyed spending time with his family at BBQ's and fishing at the lake. He always had a big hug for everyone and would not let anyone leave without a hug. He was a jokester with a big heart and if a person needed help, he was always there. He loved bowling and was a great pool player. He enjoyed meeting his buddies at the Diamond Lounge, drinking Old Milwaukee Beer and playing pull tabs. His pride and joy was his fully decked out, big red pickup.

He is survived by the mother of his children, Rose (Grandboise) Gartner; his son, Dennis (Elizabeth) Gartner, Fertile, MN; his daughters, Marie (Joey) Patnaude, Kimberly (Jim) Knudson and Bonnie (Donald) Lee, all of Grand Forks, ND; a sister, Bonnie (Jim) Schilling) Minot, ND; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry Gartner.

Memorial Service: 12:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2020 in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Family Greeting: One hour prior to the service in the funeral home on Saturday.
Interment: At a later date in Turtle Lake Cemetery, Turtle Lake, ND.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.
The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com