Raymond Orville "Ray" Skorheim, 95, Minot died peacefully with family at his side on Sunday, July 10, 2016 in a Minot hospital.

Ray was born on September 7, 1920 in Dwight, ND to Henry and Tilda (Johnson) Skorheim. He grew up on a farm in the Adams area and graduated from Adams High School in 1938. As a young adult he assisted his family with the operation of the farm. He continued his education in the NYA School at the University of North Dakota until he entered the U.S. Army in March of 1943. He served as a medical corpsman during WWII and was awarded a Purple Heart prior to his honorable discharge on August 13, 1945.

Ray married Viola Olson on June 15, 1946 and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this June. They made their home in Fargo and Ray continued his education at North Dakota State University and graduated in 1948 with a degree of Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture and a Minor in Vocational Agriculture. They moved to Minot when he became employed by the Minot Public School System where he was instrumental in establishing the Vocational Agriculture Department and FFA Chapter. He retired from teaching in 1958 when he became an agricultural lender at First National Bank (later Norwest Bank) until his retirement on January 1, 1984. Ray and Vi continued to make their home in Minot and spent the winter months in Mesa, AZ.

Ray was a longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church and served a term as Chairman of the congregation. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Also, he was a member of the Minot Vo-Ag Department Advisory Council, various committees of the Minot Chamber of Commerce and charter member and treasurer of the Ward County Weather Modification Authority from 1961-1985. He served as President of the ND Vo-Ag Teachers Association, District Director of the ND Bankers Association and President and Director of the Ward County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Ray had many interests and hobbies. He always enjoyed reading or a game of cards. He was at home when he could be outdoors golfing or taking care of his flowers and trees. For over 30 years Ray and Vi spent their summer months at their cabin at Rice Lake, ND. One of his favorite past times was visiting with friends and family over a cup of coffee.

Ray's most cherished times were spent with his family. Ray's loving family includes his wife of seventy years Vi; daughters: Mary Skorheim of Minot and Nancy Skorheim of Rice Lake; grandchildren: Christopher (Sonia) and Angela (Robert); great grandchildren: Jasmine, Grace, Daniel, Andrew, Alexis, Kaitlyn and Thomas: Daughter-in-law: Teresa Klippen and children Melissa and Joshua; and siblings: Harvey Skorheim of Hutchinson, MN, and Donald Skorheim of Grafton.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, sons: Daniel and Randall and brothers: Kenneth, Dennis and Henry.

Celebration of the Life of Ray Skorheim: Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment: Friday, July 15, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan.
Visitation: Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the FFA Alumni Association, ND Veterans Cemetery Foundation and the Zion Lutheran Building Fund.