Ray Edinger, 59, of Turtle Lake, ND died July 10, 2016 at his residence under hospice care. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM Thursday July 14, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Turtle Lake with Pastor Sondra Krogstad and Pastor Curt Hanson officiating. Interment will be held in the Turtle Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:30 PM Wednesday at the church with music provided by members of "Prairie Breeze". Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church.


Ray was born November, 10, 1956 to Clarence and Viola (Helm) Edinger. He spent his childhood in Turtle Lake, graduating from high school there in 1976, and continued living there until his death.
As a young man, he worked at Schlickenmeyer Livestock Sales until 1972 when he began working for Ray Herr Construction and later started his own construction business, Edinger Construction, in 1983, a goal that he had set for himself while in high school.

From 1979 until 1983, he and several friends decided to combine their musical talents and formed the band "Prairie Breeze" with Ray playing lead guitar. For the following 5 years, they enjoyed playing for street dances and wedding dances. Ray enjoyed reminiscing about the good times he and his friends had during their brief "musical career".
In 1979, Ray was hired by the The North American Coal Corporation's Falkirk Mine where he was a dedicated, loyal employee for 36 years. As with everything Ray set his mind to, he faced every challenge head on. He terminated his employment as Maintenance Manager at Falkirk in 2015 due to his illness. He formed many special friendships during those years, both at the mine site and Corporate wide when he traveled to all North American mine sites for special projects.
On June 16, 2001, Ray married Diana Nelson and for the following 15 years, they had many happy times, made many special memories, and developed many special friendships, especially when they began boating at Lake Sakakawea.

Ray was a very talented man and believed that any job worth doing be done well. He designed and built his own home in Turtle Lake, as well as boat trailers and many woodworking items, including a special sandbox for his grandsons and several soap box derby racing cars for Turtle Lake's Annual Turtle Days.

Ray was a kind and compassionate man and always had a special place in his heart for those less fortunate than he. He had a deep love for his family and was a caregiver for his father, sister, and brother before their deaths. His two passions in life were working for North American Coal and fishing. Often times, he would be on the water by 4 a.m. trying to catch that big walleye. He spent many hours fishing with dear friends and family and especially enjoyed teaching his 2 grandsons how to fish.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Diana, his two stepchildren, JJ Nelson, Kuna, ID, Jodi (Brad) Meyer, Johnston, IA, two grandsons, Jack and Henry Meyer, Johnston, IA, sister, Patty Johnson, Spokane, WA, brother, Dennis (Sandy) Edinger, Bismarck, ND, mother-in-law, Esther Steinwand, Garrison, ND, brother-in-law, Terry (Mary Dawn) Steinwand, Mandan, ND, nephews, Kevin Johnson, Milpitas, CA, Ken Johnson, Spokane WA, Josh (Tosha) Steinwand, Mandan, ND, Jeremy Steinwand, (Jamestown, ND), Tyler Steinwand, Bismarck, ND, nieces, Stacey (Mitch) Lang, Bismarck, ND, Sara (Jake) Edinger, Beulah, ND, Kayla Steinwand (Mandan, ND), great nieces, Shannon Johnson, Greenville, SC, Emmalynn Steinwand, (Mandan, ND), and great nephews, Nick Johnson, Reedley, CA, Kameren Johnson, Spokane, WA, Connor and Jacob Lang, Bismarck, ND, as well as many special aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Viola Edinger, sister, Sharon Edinger Freuer, brother, Gary Edinger, and father-in-law, Wilbert Steinwand.