Raymond B. Hobbs

Raymond Hobbs, 90 of Britt passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services for Raymond Hobbs will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 10:30 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 302 2nd Street in Woden with Reverend Trudy A. Peterson and Reverend S. Kim Peterson officiating.  Burial will be held at Bingham Township Cemetery in Woden. Graveside military services will be provided by the Woden American Legion Post and the Britt Ceremonial Honor Guard.

Visitation for Raymond Hobbs will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

Raymond Benton Hobbs, the son of Earl and Alvina (Hansmeier) Hobbs was born December 14, 1923 on the family farm northwest of Crystal Lake.  He was raised on the farm and graduated from Crystal Lake High School in 1942.

Following graduation, Ray enlisted in the Army, doing his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas.  He went to Officer’s Candidate School in Fort Benning, Georgia and eventually attained the ranking of First Lieutenant.  Ray served in Germany at the tail end of WWII. After Ray was discharged from the Army, he returned to farming.

Ray was united in marriage with Marjorie Buns on December 17, 1953, the couple made their home on a farm south of Woden where they raised their children Clay and Jolene.  Ray raised cattle until 1978 and continued to help on the farm until 2011 (age 87).

The couple spent 30 winters in Florida the last one being in 2009.  Ray enjoyed playing cards and eating pizza with family on Sunday night, he also enjoyed attending summer ball games and other activities of his grandchildren.  Ray could carry on a conversation with anyone, he never met a stranger. He also enjoyed his weekly or biweekly trips to Mason City shopping with Marje.

Ray was very active in various organizations in the area, serving as a 4-H leader after returning from WWII, secretary of the Hancock County Fair board when they purchased the Hemp Plant, board at Farmers Co-op Elevator in Woden for many years, Hancock County Mutual Insurance Company board member, and several years on the Hancock County Zoning Board.

Ray is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marjorie of Britt; son Clay (Pat) Hobbs of Britt; grandchildren, Ryan, Evan Logan, and Morgan Hobbs; brother  James (Lilah) Hobbs of Crystal Lake; sister, Janice (Lyle) Doege of Woden; sister-in-law, Jerry Hobbs of Crystal Lake along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jolene in 1974; brother, Clyde Hobbs and sister, Dorothy Krominga.