Ray C. Sandness of Bismarck ND departed this world peacefully at home on August 11th, 2026 at the age of 92. Ray was born on the Greenville Township family farm in LaMoure County, LaMoure ND on November 20, 1933, to Jeffry and Martha Sandness. He attended Pearl Lake #3 School Grades 1-8 and graduated from Oak Grove Seminary in 1951, where he lettered in football and sang bass in the Oak Grove Traveling Choir.

In 1954, Ray enlisted in the United States Army; following basic training he attended the Army Security Agency School at Fort Devens, MA; stationed in Neiderbrsiege, Germany where he held top-secret clearance under President Eisenhower. He was awarded the Sharpshooter Carbine and the Good Conduct Medals. He continued his military service in the Army Reserve until receiving his honorable discharge in 1962.

After returning from Germany, Ray farmed alongside his father and earned an associate degree in Mechanics from Wahpeton State School Of Science.

On December 26, 1959, Farmer Ray married Teacher Beverly Gentzkow at Zoar Lutheran Church in LaMoure, ND. Together they built a life that would span nearly 67 years of marriage with their four children Leigh Allen, Mark Stuart, Karin Elaine, and Julie Ann.

In 1964, the family made the decision to sell their family farm and relocate to Fargo, North Dakota, where Ray earned an associate degree in Business Administration from Dakota Business College. Ray worked for CPA firms before commencing a 28-year career with Midwest Motors, where he managed accounting responsibilities and served as treasurer for Midnight Express and Midwest Cartage. He retired in 1993. From 1994 to 2004, he worked seasonally for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation in lodging and served as the First Marshal for the Bully Pulpit Golf Course.

Ray derived immense fulfillment from assisting others. He particularly took pride in supporting his son, Mark, at Capital City Sporting Clays, where he contributed to various projects such as fencing, lawn mowing, construction, painting, and more. As a skilled craftsman, Ray possessed expertise in leaded-stained glass, leatherwork, carpentry, and construction. Despite his accomplishments, Ray refrained from seeking recognition and frequently offered his leaded-stained glass creations generously to family, friends, and organizations.

Ray, an avid reader, also enjoyed golf, hunting, card games, board games, dominoes, coin collecting, puzzles, traveling, and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings—while taking particular pleasure in cheering against Bev’s Chicago Bears. He successfully participated in local running events and shooting competitions. He was active in Boy Scouts and proudly supported his sons as they became Eagle Scouts. He and Bev enjoyed traveling, including memorable trips to Japan, Hawaii, and Mexico, particularly at their winter home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. One particularly memorable adventure was a moose-hunting trip to the Churchill River in Canada in 1995.

Above all, Ray was a humble, hardworking, talented, and generous individual who quietly dedicated his time and abilities to his family, friends, and community. He remained active and engaged well into his later years, consistently willing to lend a hand and share his knowledge.

Ray is survived by his wife of nearly 67 years, Beverly; children Mark (Sheila) Sandness of Mandan, ND, Leigh Sandness of Endicott, NY, Karin (Bill) Lucas of Billings, MT and Julie Sandness of Kauai, HI; grandchildren, Heather Sandness Nelson (Brian Nelson), Brea Sandness Rose (Tyler Rose), Dylan (Courtney) Sandness, Alexa Rae (Nathan) Deibert and Samuel (fianceé Haylee Heller) Lucas: great-grandchildren, Avery Ray Nelson, Eleanora Nelson, Henry Nelson, Lucas Deibert, Joseph Sandness, Johnny Sandness and Jennessy Sandness; his sisters Kathleen Sandness and Carolyn (John) Idhe; his sisters-in-law: Helen(Curt)Oberlander, Patty(Ken)Oelke, Barbara(Earl) Wilhelm, Bonnie Broyan, and Lori Gentzkow; his brothers-in-law: Donald(Mary. Lou) and Roger(Kris)Gentzkow.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeffry and Martha; his parents-in-law, Edward and Carrie Gentzkow; his sisters Jeanette Carlander and Marvelyn Sandness; brothers-in-law, Glen Peterson, Eric Alford, Loren Carlander, Rodney Gentzkow, and Carl Broyan, and his sister-in-law Tami Alford.

Ray's family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the CHI Home Health and CHI Hospice teams for their compassionate care, with special thanks to his nurse, Jamie.

A Memorial service will be held at 10am on Thursday, September 3, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 106 Osage Ave, Bismarck, ND. To view the church livestream, click the link provided ~ Ray.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Wednesday, September 2, in the Lynne Center at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. A prayer service will be held at 7pm.

Burial will be held the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.