Dayle Ray

Dayle Eugene Ray, Barrett, died at his home on Friday, April 29, 2011, at age 96. Funeral services for Dayle Ray will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 4, at the Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett; visitation will be held Tuesday from 5-7pm at Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett and resume one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Dayle was born in Elk Lake Township, Barrett, MN on January 3, 1915. The son of Clarence and Rose (Rhian) Ray, he attended elementary school at District #52 and graduated in 1932 from Barrett High School. He was baptized as an adult by Pastor Ivar Sandberg. He attended Park Region College in Fergus Falls for one year, and college in Pella, Iowa for one year. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and was stationed near Grand Marais, MN where he helped plant thousands of trees in northern Minnesota, and helped build the Gunflint Trail. In 1941 Dayle married Elaine Endreson. He joined his father in farming in Elk Lake Township and was involved in local politics, serving as county chairman for the Farmer's Union organization. He was a church, Sunday School, and 4-H leader. In 1958, Dayle ran for the election to the legislature in the DFL primary with the motto "Time for a Change." He was appointed as Postmaster of Barrett by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, serving in that position for 27 years until his retirement in November of 1987. Dayle served on the Barrett School Board, as Mayor of Barrett for two terms, President of the Barrett Chamber of Commerce, and as city clerk for many years. He was a founder of the Grant County Wagon Train and went on those trail rides for several years. He served on the Grant County Historical Society board, and was instrumental in developing the Viking Trail.



He was a founder of the Prairie Wind Players and acted in or worked on nearly every production for over 20 years. He also enjoyed acting for his son and daughter-in-law's theater company, Playing on Purpose Productions. For several years, he wrote Barrett's own newspaper, The Optimist and authored two books on Barrett's history, The Optimists and Barrett Centennial Tales. Dayle was the go-to person if anyone had questions about Barrett's early days. As a couple, Dayle and Elaine enjoyed camping and traveling in their retirement, and served many seasons as Campground Hosts at Itasca State Park. After 68 years of marriage, Elaine passed away in Nov., 2009. Dayle is survived by five sons, Douglas (Sharron), of Portland, OR, Tim (Kathy) of Barrett, Steven (Linda) of Monticello, MN, Christopher (Susan) and Tony (Kim) both of Barrett; two daughters, Karen (Leslie Alvstad) of Barrett, and Penelope Ray (Mark Johnson) of Little Canada; MN, and one sister, Dorothy Heuchert of Shoreline, WA; Also surviving are 20 Grandchildren: Michael Ray; Bradford (Judy) Ray; Jonathan Alvstad (Tami Erickson); Jennifer (Mike McLaughlin); Joel (Laura) Alvstad; Janelle Alvstad Mattson (Neil); Kristina Amundson; Eric Ray; Nathan (Tonya) Ray; Matthew (Gretchen) Ray; Sarah (Quinten) Pollard; Peter Ray (fiancAC.e Jenna Reiser); Kaitlin (Christopher Warren) Johnson; Anna, Alexander, and Eleanor Johnson; Bryan Hauglie, Aaron and Adam Ray, and Erica Ryckman. He is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. Dayle was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Elaine, two brothers, Delbert and Kenneth Ray, two sisters, Gladys Ray and Jeannine DeClercq, an infant brother, two infant children, David and Melanie Ray, son, Samuel Ray, and grandsons, Philip Ray, Jason Ray, and Bradley Hauglie.

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith Funeral Home - Elbow Lake 116 1st Street NE Elbow Lake, MN US 56531

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Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Service
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
cemetery
Wednesday, May 4, 2011