Raymond S. Meier

raymond meier

March 2, 1949 ~ January 19, 2025

Born in: Linton, ND
Resided in: Fargo, ND

Raymond’s services will be livestreamed below starting at 7:00 PM Friday, January 24 and 2:45 Saturday, January 25.

Funeral Mass:

Prayer Service:

Raymond Stephen Meier passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy defined by his humble, selfless, and joyful spirit. Raised in a large Catholic family on a farm near Zeeland, Ray’s life was filled with love, faith, and boundless generosity. He was a man who shared his gifts freely with everyone he met, and his memory will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Ray’s education reflected his passion for serving others. He moved to Fargo to attend Cardinal Muench High School in preparation for the priesthood (though life had other plans). He later pursued a career in healthcare, earning his credentials at St. Luke’s School of Nursing, North Dakota State University, and St. Luke’s School of Anesthesia. His education became the foundation for decades of dedicated service in healthcare, including two years in the Air Force.

Ray shared his talent as a gifted nurse anesthetist, a calling he described as so fulfilling that receiving a paycheck was simply a bonus. His skill and compassion revolutionized care for pediatric cancer patients, as he rewrote protocols to allow children to receive anesthesia during difficult procedures. Yet, with the gentle wisdom of a grandpa, Ray often calmed children through MRIs without the need for anesthesia at all. Known as the “epidural king,” Ray earned respect and admiration across the region, not just for his exceptional medical expertise but for his humor and warmth. Many remember his knack for starting impossible IVs with his large farm boy fingers, along with his playful suggestion to name their babies “Raymond” if they hadn’t yet chosen a name. His talent extended to his unmatched work ethic, shaped by his farm upbringing. Whether moving a hide-a-bed up a flight of stairs by himself or putting in countless hours helping others with projects, Ray gave his all to every task, embodying strength and determination.

Ray’s treasure was a gift he shared freely with others. He donated to causes near and dear to his heart, from supporting his grandchildren’s fundraisers to giving generously to Shanley High School and NDSU. He also generously donated to St. Paul’s Newman Center, reflecting his commitment to his faith and his community. His faith guided his philanthropy, most notably in his leadership on the capital campaign for Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, helping to raise funds for the building of the social hall, offices, and magnificent church. Although asking for donations was outside his comfort zone, Ray embraced the challenge with trust in the Lord, leading by example with his own generosity. His giving spirit was grounded in his love of faith, family, and community.

Ray gave abundantly of his time, especially to his family. He rarely missed a grandchild’s baseball, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, swim, tennis, or cross-country events, often traveling to attend and offering rides to practices. He loved making stops at Caribou with his grandkids and sharing meaningful conversations. Ray made time for everyone—family, neighbors, coworkers, parishioners, and even strangers he met in grocery store aisles or on the sidewalk. Known for his warm smile, hearty hugs, and engaging personality, Ray’s unassuming manner made everyone feel valued.

He loved deeply and joyfully. He loved the Lord, his family, and his lake place. He loved driving his trusty Ford Ranger at a steady 55 mph, no matter the higher speed limit. He loved teasing others with humor that was always funny and never mean. He loved teasing Doogie and Mocha. He loved licorice and Hamm’s beer, but only at the lake. He loved clapping loudly for the Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, or Bison whenever they did something great. He loved being early for Mass, urging his family to hurry with a cheerful “Schnell!” in German. He loved keeping Rosaries and Holy Water close, whether on his bedside table, in his car, or anywhere he happened to be. He loved Red Eye, a drink he taught his family how to make just a month ago, ensuring his legacy of humor and hospitality continues. In summary, he loved life. He loved it all.

In his final year, Ray faced his ALS diagnosis as he did everything else in life—with courage, grace, and unwavering trust in the Lord. This chapter of his life became a final opportunity to teach us—how to live with patience, joy, humility, and faith. In his suffering, he showed us how to accept care and love, and in his final moments, he showed us how to die with dignity and peace. His family has chosen to inscribe on his marker, “Everybody loved him,” a fitting tribute to the wide-reaching affection he inspired throughout his life.

Ray’s humble yet extraordinary life leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and generosity that will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him. In honor of Ray’s memory, his family encourages acts of kindness and generosity in his spirit. We invite you to honor his memory by offering a memorial to an organization that in some way connected you to Ray—whether it be his church, a hospital, a school, or another cause close to his heart. Let us all give of our talents, treasures, and time, just as he did, to make the world a brighter place.

Ray is survived by his love, his wife of nearly 55 years, Patricia. He is also survived by: daughter Kari (Mark) Sornsin and children Alex (Nancy), Matthew, Libby, and Ryan Brock, Maria (Justin) Irish, and Max Sornsin; son Chris (Karin) Meier and children Grace, Boden, and Landon Meier; son Tim (Kara) Meier and children Easton (Kaylee) (and their son Maddox), Griffin, and Maggie Meier. He was preceded in death by his parents Bernhard and Magdalena, and his siblings Benny, Sophie, and Dick. He is survived by siblings Leonhard, Jim, Sr. Doretta, Jerome, Vic, Frank, Mary, Barb, and Gerald.

Services

Visitation - Friday: January 24, 2025 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104

(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/

Prayer Service - Friday: January 24, 2025 7:00 pm

Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104

(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/

Visitation - Saturday: January 25, 2025 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm

Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104

(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/

Funeral Service - Saturday: January 25, 2025 2:45 pm

Sts. Anne and Joachim Catholic Church, Fargo
5202 25th St. S.
Fargo , North Dakota 58104

(701) 235-5757
https://stsaaj.org/

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Guestbook

  1. My sincere condolences. I knew Ray during my high school years. He was a great student and friend.

    • My deepest sympathy to Ray’s Family! I enjoyed working with him! He was a GREAT ASSET to The FM Community! RIP Ray Meier.

  2. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Pat and I have known each other since kindergarten. Both ended up nurses and crossed paths many times over the years. That also included Ray in the medical field. What a kind and gentle man he was. My heart goes out to you all.

  3. Thinking of you Pat, and your family.Ray was a kind,caring person,you are a great couple! Having worked beside both of you,and worshipping with both of you,I feel God will take him under his care. God bless Ray’s memory.

  4. I knew Ray from my days as the Surgery Manager for Perham Hospital. Ray covered our anesthesia needs for many years. Ray was quickly nicknamed: “Sweet Ray” as he was always so sweet sounding on the phone when we had to call him in for cases, no matter the time of day or night. I witnessed selfless giving from Ray. His gentle demeanor and competent skill set, placed us all at ease when he walked through the door. His warm, brown eyes held a welcoming spirit to everyone he met. I feel so fortunate to have had known Ray those years in Perham. He was an inspiration to all of us in healthcare as he demonstrated daily his selfless love of life, family, friends and work. Blessings to you Ray. Thank you for your devoted life.

  5. I worked with Ray at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo. Many co-workers come and go but few leave a lasting memory. Ray was one who left a lasting impression of warmth, humor and compassion. What a legacy! We could only hope to leave as much. God Bless the life of Ray and bless his family.

  6. I had the privilege of working with Ray in the St. Luke’s days. Whenever we needed an IV start or assistance with a patient, the staff on 3 main was always happy when Ray showed up. He was a dedicated employee and admired by all who worked with him. A true gentleman.

  7. Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Ray was a kind and gentle man and will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace.

  8. Ray was a great neighbor! I enjoyed our chats in the halls of our apartment building. A very kind and engaging man. I’m glad to have known him.

  9. My prayers are with Pat and all of Rays family. I worked with Ray at the Roger Maris Cancer Center. He was loved by all for the loving care he gave to the children with cancer. He worked well with the staff and physicians and was awarded the Gold Star of service by the Cancer Center staff. This is who he was. Kind, compassionate, considerate. He will be missed by so many. May he rest in the Lords gentle arms.

  10. Ray was truly a “ray of sunshine” in the lives of all those connected to him throughout the years. His warm personality & genuine concern for others was evident in his CRNA role at St.Luke’s/MeritCare/Sanford Hospital. I am blessed to have known & worked with him throughout my career. Romans 12:12: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” – Ray was this and so much more – keep shining Ray…

  11. This written tribute beautifully captures the essence of Ray. Jon and I have always looked up to Ray as a model of holiness. Pat, we send our love and prayers as you endure the loss of your beloved soulmate.

  12. To Ray’s family,
    My condolensces to all of you. I worked with Ray for awhile at Merit/Care/Sanford.
    You have my sympathy. May you find comfort in the memories.
    Lynette Nygaard, CRNA (ret)

  13. We are so very sorry for your loss. Being at the lake will never be the same without Ray next door. I will cherish the times he would come down to mow and we’d just chat for the longest time about so many topics. Ray lived a life God is proud of in every way, I have no doubt. How many people can say that. Bless him and his family.

  14. My most sincere sympathies to you Pat and family. I will never forget the
    first day I met Ray at St Lukes Nursing Program. His smile said it all. Deserving
    of all the respect he received during his warm and loving life.
    Ed Marthaler, CRNA (ret).

  15. Dear Pat and family, I am so very sorry for your loss of your dear husband, father, grandfather! He was one of the very best nurses and CRNA in the world! He set an example for the entire medical staff and we all did love him! My prayers are with all of you during these hard days! May you feel heavenly hugs forever!

  16. Ray was first a classmate @ St. Luke’s School of Nursing back in the 6o’s.
    Then he became one of those “ heroes “ to the kids at Children’s Hospital where we both worked for 45 + years. He helped kids through some of the worst experiences in their young lives with his gentleness, big brown reassuring eyes, and skills in pain relief and sedation as a CRNA.
    He was one of my heroes.
    So much love to all who loved him so very much💕
    Rest in peace, Ray.
    Cathi Chial

  17. I worked with Ray on the Labor and Delivery floor. He truly was a gem and a favorite of all the nurses and patients on that unit. He was so compassionate and always came to follow up on patients after they delivered. He greeted everyone as a friend. Condolences to his family. Whenever I saw him outside of hospital he would update me on what his grandchildren were up to, he could not have been more proud.

  18. Dear Pat and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I grieve with you in your sorrow and I rejoice with you in knowing that Ray is in the arms of his Lord and Savior. Ray was definitely chosen and called for his profession- he was the epitome of what a nurse/anesthesiologist should be. Ray was a blessing and served his Lord faithfully in every part of his life. Keeping you in my prayers during this sad and difficult time. A donation was made to Churches United.
    Sue Holmvik, former St Luke’s classmate

  19. Our condolences to the entire Meier family. I had the opportunity to meet Ray a few times over the years via Chris and enjoyed reading and learning a bit about Ray’s talents and gifts. I found Ray to be a true gentleman. What a life “well lived”!
    Respectfully,
    Jeff & Danyel

  20. Dear Pat and family,
    We were sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Most of our memories of Ray would be through the Hill and Klauss families and the history of long standing friendships. My vision is crystal clear “everyone loved Ray”.
    Years later I had emergency surgery in Detroit Lakes and guess who was the Anesthesiologist ? Yes it was Ray. We talked about old times and then he did his job or sweat dreams for me and a successful surgery?
    Pat, please accept our sincere condolences and may Ray rest in peace.
    Our Love
    Bruce and Linda

  21. To the Meier family, my sincere condolences for your loss of Ray. I had the pleasure of working with him at Meritcare and Sanford and he was indeed the epidural King!
    I can’t think of a more accurate description of Ray than “everybody loved him”.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  22. My deepest condolences to you Pat and family.Ray was a good friend and colleague, we worked together for many years.He will be missed. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. May he rest in peace.
    -Ralph Holte, CRNA (ret)

  23. Ray was a shining light whenever he was and to all he met. I worked with him many years at St. Luke’s and Merit Care and Ray was always willing to help , suggest solutions and shared
    Both his heart and his hands . He showed us all how to love life to The fullest when faced with ALS. My sympathy to all Of you as you grieve .

  24. My condolences to you all. Ray was one of a kind. He was such a caring, compassionate person with everyone. I enjoyed the time I got to work with him. He was passionate about his work and definitely had a calming persona. He’ll be missed.

  25. I will always remember working with Ray at MeritCare. He was so kind and extremely knowledgeable. A joy to visit with, he would light up a room. Hugs and prayers to Ray’s family.

  26. This is the Ray I remember from the first time I met him when he visited his sister Sophia and ever afterward. He lit up my light whenever we came across each other. He was truly the face of God to everyone he met. I call him St. Ray.


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