Raymond Gerard Maxson, age 96, died September 30, 2009, at Hillcrest Nursing Home, Red Lake Falls, MN.
Ray was born October 3, l912, in Devils Lake, ND, to Jesse and Rose (Dion) Maxson. Ray attended high school in Devils Lake graduating in 1930. After graduation he attended NDAC for a few years, his education interrupted by World War II. He joined the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1930 and was attached to the 164th Infantry out of Devils Lake, ND. After Pearl Harbor the 164th Infantry was activated. At that time Ray was a Master Sergeant. In October of 1942 the 164th landed on Guadalcanal to reinforce the U.S. Marines. While in Guadalcanal the 164th and Marines were engaged in fierce combat with the Japanese military for control of strategic air strips on that South Pacific island. After surviving Guadalcanal, Ray received an honorable discharge on September 25, 1945 with the rank of Warrant Officer. He then continued his education at NDAC, graduating in 1947 with a degree in animal husbandry.
Ray married Loretta Kruse on February 16, 1941, in Fargo, North Dakota. After 47 years of marriage, Loretta died October 23, 1988. Ray married Therese LaPlante on November 4, 1989, in Red Lake Falls, MN.
In 1947 Ray and Loretta moved to St. Hilaire, MN, where he farmed and also taught a farm management course in Red Lake Falls, MN. In l961 they moved to Moorhead, MN, and Ray sold insurance for the Knights of Columbus. Ray eventually returned to teaching farm management courses at the Technical College in Detroit Lakes, MN, and then at the Technical College in Moorhead, MN, until his retirement in 1977.
Ray was an active member of American Legion Post #22 in Red Lake Falls, MN, also serving as post commander. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus in Thief River Falls, MN, while attending St. Bernards Parish and in Moorhead, MN, while attending St. Josephs Parish. He was a 4th Degree Knight with the Moorhead Council.
Ray enjoyed duck and goose hunting, church dinners, traveling, dancing, family gatherings and playing poker with his K.C. buddies.

Ray is survived by his wife, Therese, Red Lake Falls; two daughters Janice Maxson, Monticello, MN, Joan (Gerry) Syverson, Moorhead, MN; one son R. James (Janet) Maxson, Minot, ND; his son-in-law Ronald Schmidt, Lake Havasu City, AZ; and six grandchildren Kari (Jon) Morgan, Kris Syverson, Jesse Maxson, Jacob Maxson, Rick (Luz) Schmidt, and Cheri (Mike) Bauer; one sister Genevieve Edwards Fargo, ND and one brother in-law Ed Richman New Rochelle, NY.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Judy Schmidt, brothers Tony, Darrell and Clifford, and sisters Verna Walker and Lila Richman.
Visitation: 5-8 PM, Sunday, October 4, St. Josephs Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with a prayer service at 7 PM.
Funeral: 10:30 AM, Monday, October 5, St. Josephs Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls, MN
Internment: 3:30 PM, Monday October 5, St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead, MN