Raymond O. Sheets, 81, of Bowman, ND died on August 19, 2011 at the Southwest Healthcare Hospital in Bowman. Funeral Services for Ray will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at the Bowman United Methodist Church. Pastor Ron Olson will officiate with burial to follow in the Bowman Cemetery. There will be a Family and Friends Service on Monday, August 22, 2011 at the Bowman United Methodist Church beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Raymond Omer Sheets was born in Bowman, ND, on June 25, 1930 to Omer and Thora (Erickson) Sheets. He was one of ten children; he and his siblings were raised in rural Slope County, moving into town when Ray was ten years old. Ray graduated from Bowman High School in 1949. As captain of both football and basketball teams, he demonstrated his leadership qualities and developed his lifelong love of sports. Shortly after graduation, he went to work with his father in the implement business selling Minneapolis Moline farm equipment. Ray later met and then married Nancy Forde on June 20, 1953. His greatest sense of pride in life was his four children, Tom, Craig, Elsa and Robert, and the strong bonds they held dearly. After the implement business, Ray was a salesman for the Bowman County Pioneer and then The Finder until his retirement. Serving as head usher for 20 years and also being on the board of Trustees and Council of Ministries, Ray was active in the Bowman United Methodist Church. Some of his other accomplishments include being president of the Masonic Lodge, a lifetime Elk's Club member, a "Downtown Coach of the Year," and one of the best dancers of his generation.
Ray is survived by his wife Nancy of Bowman; children:Tom (Sandy) Sheets of Mitchell, SD; Craig (Lori) Sheets of Fargo, ND; Elsa (Kevin) Kamphuis of Valley City, ND; and Robert (Delores) Sheets of Midland, TX; 9 grandchildren: Brenda Sheets, Bethany Sheets, Stephanie (Mike) Tornatore, Justin Sheets, Joshua Plecity, Tana Plecity, Dusty (Amanda) Kamphuis, Heather Kamphuis, and Madison Sheets; 3 great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Elle and Kinley; brother, Norman (Linda) Sheets of Bismarck; and sister-in-law, Betty Dockrey and Conrad Juelke.