Jerry Ranger
April 30, 1940 ~ October 28, 2021
Jerry Lee Ranger passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the age of 81 from complications of Parkinson’s disease, with family at his side.
He was born in Atlantic, Iowa on April 30, 1940. Jerry attended school in Rolfe, Iowa, graduating high school in 1958. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1959 and was very proud to have served his country.
In 1970, he married Kay Benewicz and together they had one daughter while they lived in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The family moved to Moorhead, Minnesota in 1987. They later divorced. In 1992, Jerry married Montine Kraft and together they lived in Fargo until her death in 2004.
While in Fort Dodge, IA, Jerry worked for the State Bank for several years in various capacities, and then for the Roman Meal Milling Company (now Dakota Specialty Milling) in Fargo, ND. Jerry loved to spend time outside, whether it was raking leaves or playing golf. He was also a great bridge player. Watching sports on TV was a favorite pastime, especially when he could catch a baseball game with his beloved St. Louis Cardinals or watch Jeff Gordon drive in a NASCAR race.
He is survived by his daughter, Sarah (Dominic) Bissonette; granddaughters Olivia and Bianca Bissonette; step-son, Frank (Lue) Peterson; sisters Joyce Herbert, Janet Sroufe, and Jane (Joel) Sybesma; brother-in-law Merle Nelson; and best friend of sixteen years, Joan Justesen.
He was preceded in death by infant sons Eric and Mathew; sister Twila (Ranger) Nelson; brother Teddy Ranger; nephew Crosley Ranger; niece Franette Ranger; brothers-in-law Frank Herbert and Larry Sroufe; second wife Montine (Newman) Peterson Kraft Ranger; and his parents Lona Riches and Roger Ranger.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday November 13th at 2:00 pm at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND with visitation beginning one hour prior. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, ND.
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My sincere sympathy with the recent loss of Jerry. I know of him as he considered Joan his best friend and Joan is a friend of mine.
May he rest in peace
Sorry for your loss of Jerry, Joan. I know you will miss him; you spent so much time together. Our condolences. Pauline & Larry
R.I.P. Jerry. A kind and gentle man. We always enjoyed the time we spent together playing games etc. Our condolences to the family and Joan. He will surely be missed.
My condolences to Sarah, Dom, Olivia and Bianca as well as Joyce, Janet, Jane, Merle, Joel, Frank and Lue.
My friendship with Jerry was rich as I got to know all of you and appreciate your goodness and friendship.
Jerry was a true gentleman, humble, unassuming, quiet, honest, kind loyal, easy to get along with, (frugal!!) forgiving, and held no grudges even about painful experiences. He loved his family and was so proud of Olivia and Bianca and their many accomplishments.
It was my distinct privilege to be able to advocate, volunteer and keep him hopeful and cheerful, doing as good as he could do through his many health challenges.
I miss him very much.
Rest In Peace now, my good friend.
Dear Family and Friends,
Neil and I had the pleasure of knowing Jerry through the church and the neighborhood. He was a gentle soul with a kind smile and a warm and wonderful wit. It is said through the Native American proverb that “Death is not the putting out of the light, but rather extinguishing the lamp for the dawn has come.’ The dawn has come for Jerry.
With warm and care,
Nancy Jordheim
I enjoyed playing Bridge with Jerry at Trollwood.
Sincere condolences on the loss of Jerry . His good friend Joan is my friend – loved visiting with Jerry at the lake! Peace to all of you
Jerry will be missed. He was a great friend to my aunt Joan as well as the rest of the our family. Jerry was always so kind so willing to help out anyone and just a great guy to be around. He loved his racing and baseball and was so gentle and content with all that life handed him. Rest In Peace Jerry. ❤️❤️
Your presence in our lives will never be forgotten. Thank you for being a steadfast Christian friend; to us and many. Your life made a positive difference.