Raymond Dale "Ray" Bedwell

Aberdeen - Memorial service for Raymond “Ray” Dale Bedwell, 74, of Aberdeen will be 1 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2007, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Aberdeen. He died May 9, 2007, at his home. Raymond Dale Bedwell, son of Dale and Anne (Knight) Bedwell, was born July 12, 1932, at Plentywood, Mont. He grew up there and in Great Falls, Mont., where he attended high school. He enjoyed riding bulls during his youth. He was united in marriage to Beverly Fayden in 1951 at Great Falls, Mont. In January 1953, he entered the United States Navy during the Korean War, serving in Hawaii. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Great Falls. He worked at Anaconda Company as a Smelter and Pepsi-Cola Company as a driver. He then worked for Standard Brands and transferred in 1963 to California. He was then united in marriage to Jeannette Rogers in 1964 at Las Vegas, Nev. While living in southern California, he worked for Loomis Armored Car. In 1994, he moved to Aberdeen. He was then united in marriage to Sammie Miller on Aug. 5, 1995, in Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Aberdeen. He worked at Wal-Mart in the receiving department, retiring in 2002. Ray was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He played the guitar and sang. Pheasant hunting and playing cards was always enjoyable. He loved dancing and socializing and was known for his one-liner jokes. Volunteering was an important part of his life and he chose to do that at SPURS Therapeutic Riding Center in Aberdeen. Survivors include his wife, Selma “Sammie” Bedwell; and seven children: Michael (Suzanne) Bedwell and William Ray Bedwell, both of Great Falls, Mont., Robert Dean Bedwell of Missoula, Mont., Tom (Karen) Miller of Mansfield, Mass., Don (Peggy) Miller of Mina, Michael (Suzan) Miller of St. Paul, Minn., and Lori (John) Weisenburger of Owatonna, Minn.; one sister, Sharon (Doug) Haverland of Meniffe, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandson. His parents and one infant daughter, Kathy Ann, preceded him in death. Honorary Urnbearers will be his grandchildren. Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements.