Pastor Ray Siegle

A celebration of the life and faith of the Reverend Ray Siegle will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Monday, June 19, 2006, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will be from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 18, in Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, and one hour prior to the worship service in Trinity, on Monday, June 19. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery, in Moorhead.Raymond C. Siegle was born on April 16, 1935, in Glendive, MT, to Jacob and Marie Gaub Siegle. He was named and claimed through Christian baptism on August 11, 1935, at American Lutheran Church in Fallon, MT. He confirmed his baptismal covenant on April 10, 1949, and graduated from Glendive High School in 1952. With his brother, Al, Ray was quite involved in showing cattle and 4-H.After attending Dawson County Junior College for two years, Ray transferred to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, graduating in 1956, with a degree in Philosophy and English. He enrolled in Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree in 1960. He was ordained at Zion Lutheran in Glendive, MT, on June 5, 1960.On June 22, 1958, Ray married Ruth Tolo in Concordia Lutheran in Fertile, MN, and moved to Long Beach, CA, for Ray's internship at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. Christian writer Fredrick Buechner, once said that "Christian vocation is where your deep joy meets the world's deep need". For 46 years, Pastor Ray experienced deep joy in serving parishes in Nome Zion and St. Petri/Fingal, ND Messiah, 1960-63; First Lutheran and Bethel in Rugby, ND, 1963-69; Trinity Lutheran in Lisbon, ND, 1969-79; and Sharon Lutheran in Grand Forks, ND, 1979-2002. Following Pastor Ray's retirement in Grand Forks, the Siegles moved to Moorhead, MN, where Ray served as interim pastor at Hope Lutheran in Fargo, ND, and Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead, MN.In June of 2004, Ray was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and demonstrated a commitment to living as fully as possible with the disease. While under treatment, he continued his passion for ministry, teaching, counseling, leading group travel, and embracing each day to its fullest.Throughout his ministry, Ray not only involved himself in his congregations, but also, in the broader church and community. He served on the Churchwide National Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Board of Directors of United/Altru Health Systems in Grand Forks from 1990-2003, serving as Chair from 1998-2003, the Concordia College Board of Regents, and the Lutheran Social Services Board of North Dakota. He was an advocate and resource for Alcoholics Anonymous groups in each of his parishes, receiving the Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outstanding Clergy award in 1983, the United Recovery Center award for distinguished service to chemically dependent people in 1983, and worked tirelessly providing support for those affected by the 1997 Grand Forks flood. He had a long-term commitment to the mission of Concordia College, receiving the Regents award in 1983, the President's award in 1983, the Soli Deo Gloria award in 1990, and the distinguished Alumni Achievement award in 2006.Among his many interests in parish ministry, counseling and teaching were central. Ray loved teaching Calling and Caring a listening skills training, Life with God, a range of Bible studies, and relished attending churchwide leadership and education opportunities. Along with his wife, Ruth, they led countless pilgrimages and tours, both overseas and in the country. He also prioritized youth ministry and was energized by leading countless ski trips, attending churchwide youth conferences, serving on boards at Metigoshe and Red Willow Bible Camps, and was known to gather people for a rousing game of volleyball while at camp. Ray's diverse interests included downhill snow-skiing, golf, growing roses, reading, and travel.Ray passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2006, in his home. Those privileged to share in his life are his wife of 48 years, Ruth Tolo Siegle; daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Marsh Siegle Drege of Fredonia, NY, and Mary and Mike Kummer of Forest Lake, MN; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Stacey Siegle of Menomonie, WI; brother and sister-in-law, Al and Faye Siegle of Pelican Rapids, MN; as well as several brothers/sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. He was beloved "Boppa" to grandchildren Elizabeth Kummer and McKinley Siegle. Memorials may be given to one of three causes close to Pastor Ray's heart: Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation, Moorhead, MN; Concordia College, Moorhead, MN; and Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. Soli Deo Gloria.