Raymond Ellis Palmer,87, was born on July 13th, 1925, in Ayr, North Dakota, the son of Harry and Laura Rose Palmer. He grew up on the farm near Ayr. He graduated from Grand Forks High School in 1942. Ray enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country as an aviation machinist during World War II. During his time in the Navy, Ray attended Wooster College, graduating in 1945. Ray worked as a professional truck driver in both Ohio and North Dakota in 1950. He drove truck for Occident Flour Mill in Grand Forks until December of 1961 when the family moved to Benson, Minnesota, where Ray worked for the Tyler Manufacturing Company, as their service manager. He retired in 1987. Ray was married and divorced from Marilyn Wigington. On June 6, 1959, Ray was united in marriage to Pearl Bounds Westberg. This union was blessed with over 53 years of marriage. Ray was a member of the VFW where he volunteered his time, a member of the Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church where he served as an usher, and was a volunteer at the Meadow Lane Nursing Home. He was an avid mechanic, and enjoyed reading, playing cards, and traveling. He was called from this life on Thursday, November 22, 2012, at the Golden Living-Meadow Lane Care Center in Benson. He is survived by his wife Pearl of Benson; his children, Jerry (Linda) Westberg of Colton, South Dakota, Judy (Rex Sr.) Leiner of Perrysville, Ohio, Gwen (Clayton) Dale, of Benson, Bonnie Palmer Allison of Perrysville, Ohio, and Laura Palmer Wilson of Golden Valley; ten grandchildren, Jody (Bo) Thompson, Michelle Leiner, Rex (Rayonna) Leiner Jr., Christy Grossenbacher, Hoss (Sharon) Allison, Sherry Carosielli, Todd Westberg, Eydie Thompson, Joyellyn (Rob) Krajewski, and Mark Dale; 20 great grandchildren, Josh (Ashley) Leiner, Jordan (Jami) Leiner, Rayne Leiner, Erica Schimid, Nicolett Lasktohein, Nikalos Allison, Dylan Allison, Emily Allison, Alicia Manly, John Besancon Jr., Spenser Besancon, Taylor Grossenbacher, Tianna Grossenbacher, Kate Thompson, Justin Thompson, Kelli Westberg, Michael Westberg, Scott Dale-Morrison, Ava Krajewski, and Eden Krajewski; 4 Great-great grandchildren, Jayden Schmid, Jaycee Leiner, Braelyn Westberg, and Killie Westberg; and sisters in law and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by son Robert Westberg, his parents Harry and Laura Palmer, his brothers Waren and Harry Palmer Jr., his sisters Ella Hull, Grace Grant, and Mildred Bjelverud, his great grandson Tyler Thompson, a son in law Rex Leiner Sr. and his former wife Marilyn Wigington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Redeemers Building fund, Swift County food shelf, Swift County Human Society, Golden Living Center
