Ocxtober 13, 1998

It is with great sadness that I anounce the death of Uncle Ray. Those of you who visited this site back when it started will remember that I dedicated this site to Ray.
    My memory of Ray is a man with a wry smile in anticipation of the punchline. When I saw him in May he lacked energy, but still raced Mary to get to tell the zinger of the racy story. He pulled out the album of our hat party from 1983 that showed all the goofy relatives partying in goofy hats (the start of a family tradition). He was proud of those pictures.
    He loved to laugh. Laughter is the glue that binds our family. And Ray could laugh. He cared about and took care of family. He just did it. He loved Mary–for close to 60 years. He brought up three great kids. And can those kids laugh and tell stories.
    When we had family get-togethers he would inevitably bring out the lasso and do rope tricks. (It's all in the wrist!)
    I miss you already Ray. It won't be the same when I go back to Bismarck. But when I do go back, you can be sure we'll be telling each other funny stories. Sometimes we'll laugh with you, sometimes we'll laugh at you. But we won't forget you. That's just how this family is.