Raymond Grabar Jr.

Raymond A. Grabar Jr., 96, passed away on Jan. 19, 2025 at St. Vincents Nursing Home. He is now in Heaven with his beloved wife Loretta. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Jan 30, at 1:00 p.m. at Church of the Ascension. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the Church of the Ascension with a Rosary/Vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Raymond was born on Nov. 9, 1928 in St. Cloud, MN to Raymond A. Grabar Sr. and Mary Mildred (Wiggens) Grabar. He lived in multiple towns and states as a child, graduating from Sacred Heart High School in Miles City, MT in 1946. Raymond entered the Navy in August of 1946 at the age of 17 with signatures from both of his parents due to his young age.

Raymond married Loretta Dick on March 28, 1951 at St. Mary’s Catholic church in Bismarck. He was a owner/manager of OMF (office machines and furniture) until retiring at the age of 63. Raymond served on the Salvation Army board, BSC board, parking authority and was active in Bismarck St. Mary’s and Light of Christ Schools. He was ordained a Deacon on May 18, 1986 and served as a Deacon at Ascension Church in Bismarck, retiring at the age of 90. He continued his Deacon work at Marillac Manor where he resided prior to entering St. Vincent’s Care Center in September of 2024.

He was very active and walked outside everyday unless we were having a blizzard, he continued this until he moved to the nursing home. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping and traveling.

Ray will be deeply missed by his children, John Grabar, of Bismarck, Ardyth Renden (Mike), of Bismarck, Denise (Bob) Cowan, of Naples, FL, Steven (Barb) Grabar, of Fargo, ND, Pamela (Joel) Jantzer, of Overland Park, KS, Susan (Tracy) Thompson, of Scottsdale, AZ, Mark (Stacy) Grabar, of Topeka, KS, Patricia (Al) Butzer, of Keller, TX, 19 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 sister-in-law, Cecelia Klein.

He was preceded in death by his wife Loretta, daughter-in-law, Judy Grabar, grandson, Eric Jantzer, great granddaughter, Kalysta Grabar, his brother, William Grabar, sisters-in-law, Paticia Grabar, Angeline Vogle and Eunice Gion, brothers-in-law Tony Klein, Raymond Vogle and Paul Gion.

In lieu of flowers in memory of Raymond A. Grabar please make memorials to the Light of Christ Catholic Schools in Bismarck and/or the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND.