John Raymond "Ray" Freeburg, the son of Martin and Edna Falline Freeburg, was born June 24, 1923 in Spencer, Iowa. His childhood years were spent in Spencer, Iowa, where he received his education, graduating from Spencer High School. Following high school, he began farming.
Ray married Virginia Ann Moeller on June 25, 1944 in Royal, Iowa. Following their marriage, they farmed until 1963, when Ray started a career with Farm Bureau Insurance, serving as division manager and then manager with Clay County Farm Bureau Insurance. Following his insurance career, Ray sold farm real estate in the Spencer area. He purchased Lost Island Golf Course in Ruthven, Iowa, which he operated for several years. Ray was very active in the Spencer community. He was a life long member of First English Lutheran Church, a 4-H Leader, Farm Bureau, Hereford Association, and Golden K Kiwanis. Ray loved golfing, especially while wintering in Mesa, AZ. Ray and Virginia enjoyed traveling together.
Ray passed away at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, Iowa on Monday, January 28, 2008 at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Wesley and Dale Freeburg.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Virginia of Spencer; three daughters and their husbands: Julie and David Gibson of Spencer, Iowa, Janet and Rick Briggs of Grundy Center, IA and Jolene and Keith Abens of Webster City, IA; 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren: Ryan Briggs and his wife, Debbie and their two sons, Rowan and Sawyer of Glen Ellyn, IL, Bill Gibson of Vail, CO, Tony Briggs and his wife, Kristin and their three sons, Carter, Caleb and Jack of Pella, IA, Dr. Scott Gibson of Sioux Falls, SD, Tyler Abens and his wife, Sara and their son Jayce of Webster City, IA and Tracy Evans and her husband, Lance of Okoboji, IA; a sister, Adeline and her husband, Norman Bensene of Spencer, Iowa; two sister-in-laws: Evelyn Freeburg of Spencer, IA and Betty Myhre of Estherville, IA; other relatives and many friends.
SERVICES
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 31, 2008 at First English Lutheran Church in Spencer.
OFFICIATING
Pastor Paul Kaldahl
CASKET BEARERS
Ryan Briggs - Bill Gibson
Tony Briggs - Scott Gibson
Tyler Abens - Tracy Evans
VISITATION
Visiation will begin 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, January 30, 2008 with the family present from 6 to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday Evening at the Warner Funeral Home in Spencer.
MUSIC
'Jesus Loves Me'
'The Lord's Prayer'
'On Eagle's Wings'
Organist - Christi Gabhart
INTERMENT
Riverside Cemetery
Spencer, Iowa
1:30 P.M., Thursday following the lunch at the church.