Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Carmen VanRay
Carmen VanRay, 91, formerly of Pingree, ND, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023 in Carrington, ND.
Carmen was born on August 25, 1932, the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Nihill) Hoggarth. She grew up in the Courtenay, ND area, one of seven children. Carmen graduated from Courtenay High School in 1950 and attended the Valley City State Teacher’s college. She taught three years in Stutsman and Griggs County schools.
Carmen was united in marriage to Ted VanRay on November 5, 1953. Ted and Carmen made their home in Edmunds, where they started farming and raising three boys. Ted passed in 1996, and Carmen remained on the family farm until 2020. Carmen’s home was the heart of her ever-growing family.
Carmen was happiest with her house full of family and friends. She was always prepared to feed whoever stopped by. In her kitchen you could always find a jar of chocolate chip cookies and a full dispenser of M&Ms. When Christmas time came around, many people looked forward to Carmen’s fudge and divinity. Carmen was a known spectator in the community, as she truly loved attending all of her sons’ and grandchildren’s events. She spent many hours in the bleachers watching her love for basketball being passed on and enjoyed many summer days and evenings at the diamonds watching softball. You could also find Carmen at the Stutsman County Fair every summer. She cherished her time visiting with family and friends at all of these events that were dear to her. Her Sundays started in her pew at the Congregational Church in Pingree, where she was a faithful and devoted member.
Carmen is survived by her 3 sons and daughters-in-law, Bill (Diane) VanRay, Jeff (Diana) VanRay, and Kent (Vonnie) VanRay, all of Pingree; 10 grandchildren, Matt (Jane) VanRay, Lisa (JJ) Jaehning, Krystle (Mike) Neis, Troy (Jacqueline) VanRay, Savanna (Kellen) Shebeck, Marc (Randi Jo) VanRay, Corey (Rachel) VanRay, Brad (Tressa) VanRay, Chelsea (Travis) Aljets, Jenna (Tommy) Bruns; and 28 great-grandchildren, along with a 29th great-grandchild due in January. She is also survived by her sister Karen Wolsky, brothers Duane (Cheryl) Hoggarth and Kenny Hoggarth (Priscilla Kungel), and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, parents, her sister Charlotte Uehran, and brothers Gerald Hoggarth and Tom Hoggarth.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to McCoy Ministries or the Pingree Rest Cemetery.
Her Visitation will be Tuesday, December 19, 2023 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00PM all at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington.
Carmen’s Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 11:00AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Carrington, ND.
Her Burial will be at the Pingree Rest Cemetery, Pingree, ND.
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Heaven gained a beautiful angel❤️
Our sincere sympathy to the VanRay family. May God bless and comfort you with many wonderful memories.
I’m so sorry to hear about Carmen’s passing. I remember waiting on her and the rest of the family when I worked at the Chieftain restaurant as a server full-time. She was such a sweet special lady and I could tell she loved her family.
God bless the VanRay boys, their families and all who knew, loved and remember Carmen. I remember working with her in the kitchen during basketball games. She was always cheerful, friendly and interested in us.
Thinking of your entire family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Oh Van Ray Family, my memories of Carmen are full of admiration for a lady who had a heart for children, not only her own children, grandchildren and great-grandkids, but for everyone’s children. She was the gramma for all, and I will never forget all the ballgames where she tracked down every child headed toward the kitchen and gave him and her some extra money for treats. She was always so interested in what the kids of the community were up to, and whenever I hear the term, “it takes a village” to raise a child, I think of Carmen.
Children grew up better with “Grandma Carmen” in their lives. I will never forget her…. Our deepest sympathies. It’s not easy to lose a mom, no matter how old she or we are. Every memory we have somehow traces back to the one who loved you like nobody else ever could. May this wonderful woman rest in peace.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, may she rest in peace. Shawn and Janelle Marcotte
Todd and Julie Kollman would like to send condolences to the family of Carmen. What a wonderful life she lived and she was loved by all. RIP 🙏🏻✝️
Our deepest sympathy to the VanRay family! Carmen was a such a sweet and graceful woman in our community. She will be missed by many!
Our deepest condolences to your family. Carmen was a rock for your family, the Eberhart Oilers, and the Pingree/Edmunds communities. She will be missed by everyone.
To all the Van Ray’s, I’m sorry to hear that you lost Carmen. Connie’s words ring very true, as Carmen was a staple at the youth events. I hope you are able to celebrate a great life lived and honor her memory with paying forward many of the lessons learned from your mom, grandma, and great-grandma.
Thinking of you all. Carmen had such a huge presence. Your love and respect for her was evident. Her memories will be abundant. Hugs to all.
Our sincere sympathy to the VanRay families. I really enjoyed visiting with Carmen at softball games when I would meet up with her. She was a very nice woman.
Our thoughts and prayers are sent to all the VanRay families. She was truly a very special lady.