RAYMOND B. EBBERS

Raymond Bernard (Peter) Ebbers, age 89, of Worthington, MN, died Sunday, March 31, 2024, at his home. He was born August 4, 1934, in Iona, MN, to Francis “Frank” and Rose (Kappes) Ebbers. He graduated from St. Columbia Catholic High School in Iona.

Ray married Joyce Baumgartner on November 6, 1954, at St. Kilian Catholic Church in St. Kilian. After their marriage, the couple lived in Worthington, where Ray worked for Campbell Soup Co, was transferred to Tecumseh, NE for 6 years, and then back to Worthington. Then Ray was employed at Butterfield foods, where he worked at Butterfield, MN and Wilton WI. They moved to Wilmont, Mn, where they owned and operated J & R Grocery. In 1981, they moved back to Worthington, where Ray worked at Fey Industries before owning and operating Pro Transportation Services, doing dispatch services for Tiesler Trucking Incorporated.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, where he served as Grand Knight and the Worthington Elks. He enjoyed horses, singing with his siblings while his mother played the organ, in choirs and on road trips. Playing cards, bowling, dancing, square dancing, gardening, and all-time pitcher for softball games at Grandpa Baumgartner’s farm were other things he enjoyed doing with his family.

Ray is survived by his wife, Joyce Ebbers, Worthington; seven children, Gerald “Jerry” (Shar) Ebbers, Windom; Linda (Lee) Kuhl, Hutchinson; Judy (Dan) Johnson, Worthington; Barb (Robert) Vargas, Worthington; Dale (Laurie) Ebbers, Worthington; Dr. Al (Amy) Ebbers, Worthington; and Ron (Julie) Ebbers, Worthington; bonus son, Eugene Harris, Hibbing; twenty grandchildren, Christy (Jeff) Furmanek, Corey (Diana) Ebbers, Jeremy (Shelby) Ebbers, Jordan Shrake, Brian (Jesca) Kuhl, Nikki (Josh) VandenBerg, Rodney (Amy) Kuhl, Kevin (Trish) Kuhl, Mike (Ashley) Johnson, Josh (Kristen) Johnson, Anthony (Joya) Watson, Ashley (special friend, Cole) Vargas, Nancy (fiance’ Marco) Oterot, Robby (Eric) Vargas-VanderLee, Adam (Linh) Ebbers, Karissa (Cody) Reverts, Erin (Mitchell) Jensen, Sarah (Glenn) Lee, Emily (friend, Zach) Ebbers and Nathan (special friend, Brooke) Ebbers; forty two great-grandchildren; sister, Margaret Baumgartner, Lino Lakes; and a grandson-in-law, Michael Gaarder.

He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Laura Gaarder; five sisters, Mary( Delores) Ebbers, Teresa Ford, Dorothy Reisdorfer, Bernice Collins; and Frances Torkelson.

Visitation was from 4-7 pm, with a Rosary at 7 pm, Friday, April 5 at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington. Visitation was also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday, April 6. Funeral Mass was at 10:30 am Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Worthington, officiated by Fr. Tim Biren and Fr. James Callahan. Burial was in the St. Mary Cemetery.