Raymond E Alkofer

Raymond E. Alkofer, age 81 of Park River, ND passed away on Monday, October 3, 2011. Ray was born November 12, 1929 the son of Anton and Louise (Quandt) Alkofer on a farm near Ludden, North Dakota. He served in the United States Marine Corp and was stationed at El Toro Base in California during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953. On August 10, 1957 Ray married Laura Ann Hesch in Buckman, Minnesota. Ray worked for the Great Northern Railroad and for various Telephone Companies. He taught Telephony at the Wadena Area Technical School in Wadena, MN prior to moving to Park River in 1973. He worked for Polar Telephone Company as Personnel Manager and Safety Director. Ray retired from Polar in 1994 with a total of 45 years in the telephone industry. Ray and Laura did extensive traveling after retiring. Through the years Ray was involved in various community organizations. He was an EMT as well as teaching the class for the Park River Ambulance for 25 years. He was a member of the Lions Club, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Park River Fire Department and the Park River Community Theater where he enjoyed being in many of their productions. Ray is survived by his wife Laura, two daughters: Mary (Gary) Ramsey, Dickinson, ND; Julie (Bob) Lang, Golden Valley, MN; two sons: bill, St. Paul, MN and Bob (Lara), Rancho Santa Margurita, CA; eight grandchildren: Matthew (Morgan), Rachael and Sarah Ramsey, Katherine and Emily Alkofer,Sally Lang, Owen and Ivy Alkofer and great grandchildren: Thomas and Mary Margaret Ramsey, his brother: Tony (Kay) Alkofer, Park River, ND and sister Rose Alkofer Sylmar, California. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Tom in 1987 and brother Lawrence. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Park River, ND. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Park River, ND. Military rites will be provided by the Paul Farup American Legion Post #147 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.