1918
George
2006
George Ras, Sr
August 1, 1918 — April 1, 2006
George Ras, Sr., was born on August 1, 1918 in Marum, Holland, the 8th of 12 children; he was the son of Albert and Henrietta (Middel) Ras. At the age of 22 months, he emigrated with his family to the United States. The family lived in New Jersey, Montana, and Crookston, MN, before arriving in Hancock, MN.
George worked for several area farmers in Hancock and the surrounding areas. During this time he met Frances Bouma at a 4th of July picnic at the John DeGier farm south of Hancock. After a 5-year courtship, George and Frances were married on March 12, 1942. The same week of his wedding George was drafted into military service for World War II. George contracted rheumatic fever during boot camp in Wyoming, so after 4 months of service was given an honorable discharge. He returned to Hancock, and started employment with the Great Northern Railroad in late 1942.
George's career with the Great Northern Railroad lasted 37 years and provided him with years of stories to tell to his wife and children. Many of those years were spent on the road in South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota, while Frances remained in Hancock raising their children. No matter where George was working each weekend he returned to Hancock, usually late Friday nights and returned to his job on Sunday afternoons. Because his job was in various locations, the family spent many of their summer vacations with him in his bunk car. In 1969, after many years on the road, George was promoted to Roadmaster and transferred to Rugby, ND. After much discussion, Frances and their children, relocated to Rugby. It was hard leaving Hancock, as they were leaving behind many family and friends, but for the first time in many years, George no longer had to travel.
George and Frances lived in North Dakota until 1979, when they retired and moved back to Hancock. George remained busy in his retirement years doing odd jobs, cleaning the bank, apartment house, mowing lawns, working on the farm for Leroy Fehr, as well as driving for Stevens County Community Services. George also enjoyed traveling with his wife and visiting their children. George and Frances spent many hours and miles in their pickup and camper, touring the United States. Some of George's favorite travel memories were driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, and several trips to Canada.
George loved his Lord, his family, friends, gardening, feeding the birds (but not the squirrels), talking "railroad", playing cards, making pancakes and visiting with friends. George was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. George always said one of his greatest accomplishments was that each of his children went to college and had a good job. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
George passed away on April 1, 2006, having lived to reach the age of 87 years.
He is survived by his children: Gene (Lynda) Ras of Shoreview, MN; George Ras, Jr. of Seattle, WA; Donna (Greg) Wagner of Yucaipa, CA; Vicky (Rick Leach) Ras of Coon Rapids, MN; Todd (Erin) Ras of Saint Michael, MN; 9 grandchildren, Travis Ras, Tamara Ras, George Ras III, Brent Ras, Nickolas Leach, Nicole Leach, Holly Wagner, Tierney Ras, and Lauren Ras; 1 great-grandson, Dylan Ras; brothers John and Fred. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Frances; one son, Dennis; his parents, his brothers Henry, Ray, Lawrence, Harvey, Richard, Gerhard, and his sisters Jeanette, Winifred, and Winnie.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials.
George worked for several area farmers in Hancock and the surrounding areas. During this time he met Frances Bouma at a 4th of July picnic at the John DeGier farm south of Hancock. After a 5-year courtship, George and Frances were married on March 12, 1942. The same week of his wedding George was drafted into military service for World War II. George contracted rheumatic fever during boot camp in Wyoming, so after 4 months of service was given an honorable discharge. He returned to Hancock, and started employment with the Great Northern Railroad in late 1942.
George's career with the Great Northern Railroad lasted 37 years and provided him with years of stories to tell to his wife and children. Many of those years were spent on the road in South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota, while Frances remained in Hancock raising their children. No matter where George was working each weekend he returned to Hancock, usually late Friday nights and returned to his job on Sunday afternoons. Because his job was in various locations, the family spent many of their summer vacations with him in his bunk car. In 1969, after many years on the road, George was promoted to Roadmaster and transferred to Rugby, ND. After much discussion, Frances and their children, relocated to Rugby. It was hard leaving Hancock, as they were leaving behind many family and friends, but for the first time in many years, George no longer had to travel.
George and Frances lived in North Dakota until 1979, when they retired and moved back to Hancock. George remained busy in his retirement years doing odd jobs, cleaning the bank, apartment house, mowing lawns, working on the farm for Leroy Fehr, as well as driving for Stevens County Community Services. George also enjoyed traveling with his wife and visiting their children. George and Frances spent many hours and miles in their pickup and camper, touring the United States. Some of George's favorite travel memories were driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, and several trips to Canada.
George loved his Lord, his family, friends, gardening, feeding the birds (but not the squirrels), talking "railroad", playing cards, making pancakes and visiting with friends. George was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. George always said one of his greatest accomplishments was that each of his children went to college and had a good job. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
George passed away on April 1, 2006, having lived to reach the age of 87 years.
He is survived by his children: Gene (Lynda) Ras of Shoreview, MN; George Ras, Jr. of Seattle, WA; Donna (Greg) Wagner of Yucaipa, CA; Vicky (Rick Leach) Ras of Coon Rapids, MN; Todd (Erin) Ras of Saint Michael, MN; 9 grandchildren, Travis Ras, Tamara Ras, George Ras III, Brent Ras, Nickolas Leach, Nicole Leach, Holly Wagner, Tierney Ras, and Lauren Ras; 1 great-grandson, Dylan Ras; brothers John and Fred. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Frances; one son, Dennis; his parents, his brothers Henry, Ray, Lawrence, Harvey, Richard, Gerhard, and his sisters Jeanette, Winifred, and Winnie.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials.
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