Raymond Loberg

Raymond E. “Ray” Loberg passed away peacefully, Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the St. John’s Lutheran retirement and care facility in Albert Lea where he had resided since August 2024. He was 93.

 

Ray was born August 20, 1932 to Harold and Cora (Rickheim) Loberg, and was the youngest of their four children. He and Doris Jones met in the 1940’s when the Geneva Elementary School students transferred to Ellendale High School. They were married on her birthday, February 3, 1952. They had been married 66 years when Doris passed away in September 2018.

 

Ray was a man of integrity and was never a stranger to hard work. He was a farmer at heart.  He grew up working on his family’s farm west of Ellendale and then owned and operated his farm east of Ellendale for more than 60 years. He also worked full-time at Queen Stove, aka, Scotsman, aka Lou-Rich until he retired after 38 years. Providing for his family and the successful operation of his farm were the source of his drive and his satisfaction. Upon retirement, he enjoyed collecting and restoring old tractors and farm equipment. Health issues forced him to slow down, but he did not stop caring for his beloved farm until age 91 when he moved to Albert Lea. He loved sharing his memories as much as his family loved hearing them.

 

Ray was baptized and confirmed at the Ellendale Lutheran Church and later became a member of Community Lutheran Church in Geneva.

 

Ray and Doris had three children, Nanci (Jim) Tuggle, Cindy Smolinski, and Rick (Ginny), all of whom attended Ellendale-Geneva Elementary and High Schools like their parents.  

 

Preceded in death by Doris and his siblings, Ray is survived by his children, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. A celebration to memorialize his life and its impact on all of them is being planned for a later date.