Raymond Burkle

Raymond Burkle, 88, Jamestown, ND formerly of the Fredonia, ND area, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning September 16, 2010 at the Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Ray was born December 27, 1921 at the family farm home 11 ½ miles NW of Fredonia, ND the son of John G. Burkle and Wilhilmina (Schimke) Burkle. He attended the local Nathan Rural School and the Fredonia Public School. He received his high school equivalency diploma on Feb. 24, 1954. He served in the CCC's (Civilian Conservation Corps) working at the International Peace Gardens in ND, the Bureau of Reclamation at Yuma, AZ, and the Grazing and Water Conservation Dept Service in Medford, UT. He studied law and procedure with the supervision of the Law Dept of the LaSalle Extension University of Chicago, IL.

He and Alvina Rudolph were married July 2, 1944. They made their home on the farm NW of Fredonia, ND. He was actively engaged in raising grain and cattle. Following the death of his wife in 1989 he continued to reside on the farm. He and Thelma (Smith) Hahn were married June 6, 1992 at Leonard, ND. They have made their home in Jamestown. During his retirement Ray helped with haying and upkeep of buildings on his son's farm.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Jamestown. He was active in church, having served as chairman, Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. He was active in county government and served as Chairman of the Logan County School Officers Association and was appointed a member of the Logan County School District Re-organization Committee, was Clerk of Nathan School District and school board member of Gackle Public School. He was a charter board member and vice president of Dickey Rural Telephone Mutual Aid Corporation.

Surviving are his wife, Thelma, Jamestown, ND, 1 son Glenn (Joan) Burkle, West Fargo, ND; 1 daughter, Debora (Dale) Holmstrom, Gackle, ND; 8 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 4 step-children, Joyce (Clayton) Larson, Felton, MN; Rodney (Barbara) Hahn, Chaffee, ND; Robert (Eileen) Hahn, Fargo, ND; Beverly (Dennis) Heller, Davenport, ND; 10 step-grandchildren and 14 step-great grandchildren, 1 brother and 2 sisters, Kornard (Irene) Burkle, Dickinson, ND; Alma Kinzler, Jamestown, ND; and Ardena Oelke, Palo Alto, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Alvina, 1 son, Wayne, 1 step-daughter, Betty, and 12 siblings.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Tuesday September 21, 2010 in Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Fredonia, ND with Rev. Ruth Kaden, officiating.

Prayer Service: 7:00 PM Monday at the funeral home in Jamestown.

Visitation- 9AM-8PM Monday at the funeral home in Jamestown.

Interment will be made in the Martin Luther Lutheran Cemetery, North of Fredonia, ND