Erma Raney

Erma Mae (Hedman) Raney, 93, passed away peacefully at Woodside Village, 4000 Valley Square, Grand Forks, North Dakota on Sunday, January 12, 2020. 
 
Erma was born in Drayton, North Dakota on May 1st, 1926 to Harry and Amelia Jensen.  Erma graduated from Drayton Public School and was a lifelong member of Skjeberg Lutheran Church.  She married Harland Hedman of Drayton in 1944 and together they had six children.  They made their home in Robbin, Minnesota.  Sadly, Harland passed away in 1962 at the age of 40.  In 1969, Erma married Robert Raney and became the stepmother to his eight children.  If you asked Erma what was most important in her life, it is no secret that she would say her faith in Jesus.  This faith manifested itself through the love she shared for everyone she encountered – her family, her friends, her community, and even strangers (they would soon become friends to Erma!).  She had a zest for life that was infectious and you would often see her belting out a tune (the alto harmony of course), baking her famous buns, serving "lunch", dancing, laughing, and sending her special love and prayers.  She was unselfish, generous, joyful, humble, and showed unconditional love to all.
 
Family members include: children Gary (Renee) Hedman, Ada, MN; Carolyn Dahl, Parker, CO; Connie (Lee) Meier, St. Augusta, MN; Neil (Kari) Hedman, Moorhead, MN; Mark (Karen) Hedman, Greenbush, MN; stepchildren Beth Raney, Susan (David) Black; Helen (Gary) Gloege; David (Shirley) Raney; Emmagene (Bill) Allen; Phil (Sue) Raney; Les (Joelle) Raney; Dorinda (Stan) Visness; 47 grandchildren, 116 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren; sister Harriet Johnson, Grafton, ND; sister-in-law Shirley Jensen, Drayton; nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.  Erma was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Harland and Robert; son, Jan Hedman; stepson George Raney; grandchildren Chad Hedman and Heidi Hedman Frie; her brother, Larry Jensen; brother-in-law Harris Johnson; nephew Michael Jensen and niece, Amber (Johnson) Redmann. 
 
The family would like to express their gratitude to the loving caregivers at Woodside Village and also to Pastor Jon Dryburgh and the Skjeberg family.
 
Funeral services are rescheduled for Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. in Skjeberg Lutheran Church, rural Drayton.  Interment will be in the Skjeberg Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour prior to the service. Austin Funeral Chapel, Drayton.

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