Ray Doebber

RAY JOSEPH DOEBBER Raymond Joseph Doebber was born on August 23, 1948 in Alexandria, MN, the son of George and Esther (Middlestead) Doebber. Ray was the eldest of five children and gained much responsibility at a young age when his mother passed away. Ray worked hard on the family farm and developed a strong work ethic. Ray graduated from Jefferson High School in 1967 and continued his education by completing his two-year degree in Farm Mechanics at Alexandria Technical School. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War from November of 1969 until his honorable discharge in January of 1972. Upon his return from the service, Ray worked as a mason. July 8, 1978 Ray was united in marriage to Janice Waldorf at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Belle River, MN. Together they had two children Missy and Michael. Ray was proud to have worked part-time for the town of Nelson as constable for approximately six years and for a number of businesses in the area including H. Boyd Nelson and Alex Concrete. Ray returned to his life?s desire to farm and purchased the remaining family farm near Forada. Ray took pride in ?Doebber Farms? and always looked forward to harvesting the crops of wheat, beans, and corn. The winters also kept Ray busy with plowing snow for various businesses and neighbors. Ray was a very social man and always had a smile upon his face. He liked beginning his day with his breakfast buddies and playing cards later in the day in Forada. He loved to visit with anyone and people liked to visit with him. Ray can be described as a humble man with an easygoing personality and kind-hearted soul. Ray?s family was very important to him and he enjoyed family camping trips, fishing, deer hunting, gardening, playing cards and Yahtzee, and traveling to Mexico. Ray was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and the American Legion Post #87. Friends and neighbors were very important to Ray and he was always there to lend a hand when needed. Ray always had a soft spot in his heart for the neighbor children. He loved to tease and joke around with the kids and watch them grow up. Ray was a loving husband and father, and good friend to many. He will be missed by those who loved and knew him. Ray J. Doebber died on Thursday, April 30, 2009 at his home at the age of 60 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Janice Doebber of Alexandria; daughter Missy Doebber and friend Mike Brever of Alexandria; son Michael Doebber of Alexandria; brothers Walter (Patty) Doebber of Clearwater, MN; Milo Doebber of Hollywood, FL; sisters Mary Ann (Ron) Peterson of Pennock, MN; Bev (Joel) Severson of Princeton, MN; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother James Doebber. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Alexandria with the Reverend Fred Fink and Al Ludwig officiating. Interment was in the St. Mary?s Catholic Cemetery. The Alexandria American Legion Post #87 preformed military rites. Casket Bearers were Tom Lempka, Brian Minnerath, Dwayne Weigle, Roylie Fischer, Ron ?Rocket? Fischer, Paul Bitzan Jr., Dan Peterson, and Cody Kluver. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersonfuneral.net