Ray Stordahl

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Richard M. Stordahl, 87, known to everyone as Ray, died Friday, March 22, 2013, in his home in Moorhead, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Ray was born January 10, 1926, in McIntosh, MN, to Henry and Clara (Shannon) Stordahl. He spent his primary grades in a one-room rural school and graduated from McIntosh High School in 1944. Immediately following graduation he volunteered for the draft and spent two years in the U. S. Army. During his military service he received the European Service Ribbon with three battle stars as well as the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star. He began a life of service at the Battle of the Bulge and continued through the conclusion of World War II, including Austria where they assisted in liberating a concentration camp.
Immediately following his military service, Ray entered Concordia College, graduating in 1950. While still in college, Ray met and married Erma F. Dockter of Fargo, ND, on June 30, 1949, and they established their home in Moorhead. Ray and Erma had three sons, Bruce, Tom, and John, and were active members of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for many years, having been charter members of the congregation. During college Ray and his roommate started a small construction company which Ray continued to operate after graduation and sold in 1959. After selling the construction business, Ray went to work for the Silverline Boat Manufacturing Company for nearly 20 years, the last ten years as president. After leaving Silverline, Ray managed a research program called "Fargo-Moorhead Heart Health Program" for the University of Minnesota before retiring.
Ray was active in civic affairs over several years, having served four terms as mayor of Moorhead as well as serving on the boards of the Concordia College C-400 Club, Heritage-Hjemkomst Interpretive Center, Greater Moorhead Development Corporation, Eventide Lutheran Home, American Bank and Trust, Minnesota Association of Commerce and Industry, Minnesota League of Municipalities, Moorhead Area Chamber of Commerce, Moorhead City Charter Commission, Moorhead Economic Development Authority, and the Minnesota Emergency Response Commission. Awards and recognitions over the years include receiving the North Dakota Business Foundation Leaders Award in 1973, elected to the Minnesota Business Hall of Fame in 1978, receiving the Civic Service Award from the Fargo Eagles in 1984, and receiving the L. B. Hartz Professional Achievement Award given by the College of Business and Industry of Minnesota State University.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Erma; sons, Bruce (Peggy) Stordahl, Fargo, Tom (Andrea) Stordahl, Moorhead, and John (Shanna) Stordahl, Durango, CO; four grandchildren, Clara (Kevin) Van Zee, New Sharon, IA, Zachary Stordahl, Boise, ID, Hannah Stordahl, Bozeman, MT, and Sonja Stordahl, Moorhead; two great-grandsons, Logan and Lincoln Van Zee; brothers, Kalmer (Marion) Stordahl, Marquette, MI, Emery (Opal) Stordahl, Detroit Lakes, MN, and Don (Norma) Stordahl, Little Rock, AR; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Howard and Orville; sisters, Ethel Gillenwater and Marie Narum; brother-in-law, Harley Narum; and sisters-in-law, Marion and Maria.
Memorials preferred to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd and Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Visitation: Tuesday, 5 PM to 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.
Memorial Service: Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 2 PM, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead.