Raymond Vance

Raymond Guy Vance, age 93, of Fergus Falls died Sunday morning, April 25, 2010, at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. Raymond was born on October 27, 1916 in Fergus Falls to Chester "Cotton" and Leona (Snyder) Vance. He grew up and attended local schools in the Breckenridge area. On November 9, 1937 he married Gladys Viola Evenson in Wahpeton, ND. Together they purchased a farm in Carlisle Township in 1947 where they raised their family and farmed until their retirement in 1977. Following their retirement they moved to Fergus Falls and wintered in Mesa, AZ. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, the Elks and Eagles clubs, and was a charter member of the Wahpeton Eagles Club. Through the years Ray was an avid lover of sports. As a young man he managed a baseball team in Brushvale, Mn. Later he enjoyed playing golf and achieved three holes in one. He enjoyed watching football and baseball. A highlight of his travel was a motorhome trip he and Gladys took to Alaska. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Gladys in December of 2000, and one sister, Gladys Lehman Skoy.  He is survived by his daughter, La Rae Flaa of Scottsdale, AZ, two sons, Dale Vance of Mesa, AZ and Neil (Terri) Vance of Bemidji, eight grandchildren, Dana McFarland, Kelly Purcell, Susan Bahnke, Guy Vance, Chris Vance, Kevin Vance, Lorie Croke, and Paul Vance, and five great grandchildren, Megan McFarland, Rachel Purcell, Nicholas Vance, Elena Vance and Jacob Vance. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Service: 11 a.m. Friday, April 30, 2010, at St. James Episcopal Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Father George Schulenberg Interment: Riverside Cemetery in Breckenridge, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com