Loretta Duray

Loretta Helen Duray, 97 of Grand Forks, was called home on May 4, 2017 on National Prayer Day. Loretta was born on December 11, 1919, to Michael and Minnie (Gornowicz) Grembowski.  She was born and raised on a farm near Warsaw, ND, where she attended country school and later bordered at the Convent in Warsaw. On October 10, 1938, she married Sylvester “Syl” Duray. The young couple made their home on a farm near a little chapel in the country by Warsaw. Loretta was Syl’s right hand partner in life. Together they worked side by side on the family farm and in the fields. They even had his and hers combines. They traveled throughout the states in their motorhome. In the winter months, they would live in their home in Grand Forks, but always returned to the family farm which they loved the best. Later in years, together, they moved to Parkwood Place in Grand Forks where they lived for 15 years. She was a member of St. Stanislaus Church, St. Michael’s Church, Grand Forks Altar Society, Rosary Society, Sacred Heart Society, and she also volunteered for the Salvation Army. She was quick to lend a hand, meal, or place to stay, along with great entertainment, with all of her stories. She had a huge garden, she loved to cook for her family and friends, entertaining was one of her many talents along with canning, quilting, and informing us about news and weather reports. She as one of KNOX’s longest fans. Her love for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, she leaves as her legacy along with her recipes. Through her blindness, she saw God more visibly in all the caring hearts and comforting hands that surrounded her over the years. Loretta is survived by her children: Gerry Duray, Denver, CO; Lee (Ione) Duray, Mesa, AZ; Arlene (Dale) DeMers, Madison, SD; June Duray, Grand Forks, ND; Joy (Robert) Bushaw, Park Rapids, MN; grandchildren: Ryan Duray, Denver, CO; Christine Petersen, Sioux Falls, SD; Janelle Parslow, Riverside, IL; Tracy Meagher, East Grand Forks, MN; and Jarrid Greenwood, Duluth, MN, great grandchildren: Zachery, Maxwell, Alexander, ReEnna, Evan, Reese, Paige, Drew, Charles; brother Michael (Cecelia) Grembowski. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Syl, sisters Lucy, Saraphine, Minnie, and Chrispine  brothers Emil, Julian, and grandchild Tamara Duray. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be held in St. Stanislaus Church Cemetery, Warsaw, ND.