David Lee Gray

David Lee Gray, 79, passed away in Villa Maria Nursing Facility March 2, 2016, after having struggled with frontal temporal dementia for several years.

David was one of four sons born to John and Dorothy (Nafziger) Gray on a farm south of Twin Valley, MN, October 16, 1936. When he was seven years old he moved with his family to a farm west of Twin Valley, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Twin Valley, MN. As a boy, David was active in 4-H. He attended school in Twin Valley graduating from the University of Minnesota/Crookston in 1954.

David married Karol Kay Schultz June, 1957. They had three children. She passed away in 1985. David married Wanda Germolus July, 1995.

As a young man, David farmed with his father and for a short time worked as a farm hand near Fargo, ND. David then worked for a window company in Moorhead, MN, (1959-1960). He started work for Cass Clay Creamery, Fargo, ND, in 1961. After 39 years, he retired as Foreman in the bottling department. David was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. When his children were young, he was very active in the church serving as usher, youth leader and Sunday School teacher.

Before his illness, David spent his retirement years doing seasonal volunteer work at Sunset Memorial Gardens, working at the election booths, and delivering telephone directories throughout the cities of Moorhead and Fargo. He was the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Coordinator for Bethlehem Lutheran Church. And for several years, David worked as an usher for the Red Hawks baseball team. He enjoyed bird watching, going to plays, especially musicals, helping others, visiting his friends, and spending time with his granddaughters. He loved his family car trips every summer.

David was a true gentleman, dearly loved by his wife, his family and friends. He will be missed and remembered as a very caring, kind and generous man to all those whose lives he touched. David handled his struggle with dementia with grace and dignity. He never complained; his soft spoken demeanor, constant smile and sense of humor will always be remembered.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Jack.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; children, Bradley Gray, Mandan, ND, Kathy (Jon) Holman, West Fargo, Kari (Tim) Wegenast, West Fargo; brothers, Donald Gray, Moorhead, Duane Gray, Hawley, MN; grandchildren, Stephany Wegenast and Nicole (Garrett) Irwin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Dementia/Alzheimer’s Association.

David’s wife would like to sincerely thank the staff of Villa Maria Nursing Facility for their support and compassion during David’s stay with them. A special thank you to Nancy Nathan, his Case Manager.