Raymond Edward “Ray” Huibregtse, son of Edward John and Faye Alene (Raymond) Huibregtse, was born in Hull, IA on February 2, 1936. He spent his youth in Sanborn, IA where he attended the local country school, graduating from Sanborn Public High School in 1954. He furthered his education at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA for one year, then transferred to Morningside College in Sioux City, IA earning his Bachelor’s Degree. 

    On August 16, 1956, Ray was united in marriage to Mary Ann Frohwein at the Methodist Church in Sanborn. Their honeymoon was spent in Yellowstone National Park as they were on their way to Butte, MT where Ray was going to work for a cattle buyer by the name of Earl Britton. He and Earl would come to form a strong relationship that would last throughout the years. Some of Ray’s favorite times to recall were those spent in Montanna as he so loved being anywhere out West. Eventually he and Mary Ann returned to Sanborn and began farming together and raising their three children: Steve, Leigh and Beth. Later, they also owned and operated Sheldon Commodities in Sheldon, IA. Ray enjoyed his days as a commodities broker and following the markets, up until Mary Ann became ill in 2009; she passed away on June 15, 2010.  

    Ray was a hard-working farmer and not one to end the day early. There were many nights when the family would have to wait quite a while for him to come in so they could all eat supper together! His ag operation included cattle, hogs, and row crops, and there was always machinery to maintain for each function and growing season. His strong work ethic was witnessed by his family…something they learned to carry on in their own lives. As a young man, Ray had enjoyed hunting and shooting and wanted to share that sport with his grandchildren. As they were old enough, he was able to help each one of them shoot a gun a time or two. He would also let them ride Tony, the horse, when it worked out. Of course, there was always a dog on the farm for Ray to spend time with. His last dog, Maggie, was very special to him, as she was his daily companion in his later years. Maggie was able to stay with him on the farm right up until health challenges prompted a move to Prairie View Inn assisted living in Sanborn in January of 2025.

    Ray’s love for the Lord and living out God’s truth was foremost in his life. Sunday school and church were always a priority for Ray and Mary Ann, and instilling God’s word in the hearts of their children was very important to them. Ray had been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Sanborn his entire life, serving in many capacities until it’s closing. He then became a member of the First Reformed Church, also in Sanborn, where he was welcomed with open arms. He enjoyed the people there and made many friends. Over the years Ray was involved with the Sanborn Jaycees, sat on the boards of Sanborn Farmer’s Co-op Elevator and Northwest Iowa Technical College. He enjoyed bowling, and for a number of years, participated in a bowling league which included many of his Raymond family members. He liked to follow college level sports, particularly the Iowa State Cyclones, and he could also be found checking out the Green Bay Packers!

    On September 11, 2025, Ray became ill and entered Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon. He passed away there and entered his eternal home on September 22, 2025; he was 89. Preceding him were his parents; an infant brother; his wife, Mary Ann; his daughter, Leigh Anne Wolfinger; son-in-law, Guy Wolfinger; his sister, Allene Baichtal; and brothers-in-law, DuWayne Frohwein and Joe Villanueva. 

    Survivors include his children: Steve Huibregtse of Canyon Lake, TX and Beth (Tim) Carlson of Cedar Rapids, IA; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, David (Carol) Frohwein of Waukee, IA; sister-in-law, Janice Villanueva of Holland, MI; two nieces and four nephews; other relatives and many friends.