Obituary: Carmen VanRay

Carmen VanRay

Carmen VanRay, 91, formerly of Pingree, N.D., passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in Carrington, N.D.

Her visitation was Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington.

Carmen's funeral service was Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, N.D., with Rev. Bryce Tahran officiating. ArvaDell Tahran was pianist. Rev. Bryce Tahran and ArvaDell Tahran sang a duet and soloist was Robert Marcotte. Congregational hymns were "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace." Her burial will be at the Pingree Rest Cemetery, Pingree, N.D.

Pallbearers were Matt VanRay, Brad VanRay, Marc VanRay, Troy VanRay and Corey VanRay.

Carmen was born on August 25, 1932, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Nihill) Hoggarth. She grew up in the Courtenay, N.D., area, one of seven children.

Carmen graduated from Courtenay High School in 1950 and attended the Valley City State Teacher's college. She taught three years in Stutsman and Griggs County schools.

Carmen was united in marriage to Ted VanRay on November 5, 1953. Ted and Carmen made their home in Edmunds, where they started farming and raising three boys. Ted passed in 1996, and Carmen remained on the family farm until 2020. Carmen's home was the heart of her ever-growing family.

Carmen was happiest with her house full of family and friends. She was always prepared to feed whoever stopped by. In her kitchen you could always find a jar of chocolate chip cookies and a full dispenser of M&Ms. When Christmas time came around, many people looked forward to Carmen's fudge and divinity.

Carmen was a known spectator in the community, as she truly loved attending all of her sons' and grandchildren's events. She spent many hours in the bleachers watching her love for basketball being passed on and enjoyed many summer days and evenings at the diamonds watching softball.

You could also find Carmen at the Stutsman County Fair every summer. She cherished her time visiting with family and friends at all of these events that were dear to her. Her Sundays started in her pew at the Congregational Church in Pingree, where she was a faithful and devoted member.

Carmen is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Bill (Diane) VanRay, Jeff (Diana) VanRay and Kent (Vonnie) VanRay, all of Pingree; 10 grandchildren, Matt (Jane) VanRay, Lisa (JJ) Jaehning, Krystle (Mike) Neis, Troy (Jacqueline) VanRay, Savanna (Kellen) Shebeck, Marc (Randi Jo) VanRay, Corey (Rachel) VanRay, Brad (Tressa) VanRay, Chelsea (Travis) Aljets and Jenna (Tommy) Bruns; 28 great-grandchildren, along with a 29th great-grandchild due in January. She is also survived by her sister, Karen Wolsky; brothers, Duane (Cheryl) Hoggarth and Kenny Hoggarth (Priscilla Kungel) and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; parents; her sister, Charlotte Uehran and brothers, Gerald Hoggarth and Tom Hoggarth.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to McCoy Ministries or the Pingree Rest Cemetery.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home, Carrington and New Rockford, N.D.