Ray Hagemann

RAY LAVERNE HAGEMANN, 82 FREEPORT - Ray Laverne Hagemann, 82, of Freeport, and formerly of Baileyville, passed to his eternal home, surrounded by his family, on Friday, May 17, 2013. Ray was a resident of Oakley Courts Assisted Living for the past 5 years. Born on July 28, 1930, he was the son of Augusta (Kilker) and Christian Hagemann. He grew up and lived his entire life on the family farm in rural Baileyville. On June 5, 1952, he married Lois Borchers and they began their farm life together. Over the years they raised many crops along with livestock, including dairy, poultry, and sheep. Ray led the family into the sheep business, raising quality Dorset sheep. The family was well known for exhibiting them at county and state fairs. He also served as sheep superintendent at two county fairs, represented this area on the Illinois sheep board, and was a member of Forreston Sheep Breeders. Ray also served on the Forreston School board and was a member of Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church in German Valley. In his retirement Ray enjoyed helping in the fields, planting trees, woodworking, gardening and traveling with Lois, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Surviving are Ray's wife, Lois, of Freeport; five daughters, Linda (Lyle) DeVries of Forreston, Melody (Darwin) Hall of Steward, Jan Hagemann (Bill Mead) of Freeport, Nancy Egan (Mick Badgett) of Baileyville, and Penny Frank-Hagemann of Stockton (Greg Frank of Lena); brothers, Leonard Hagemann of German Valley, Melvin Hagemann of Baileyville, and sister-in-law, Esther Hagemann, of Forreston; 10 grandchildren, Kim (Jason) Lamm, Kelli (Rob) Gunderson, Tina Yagow, April Hall, Jennica and Janessa Vanderheyden, Nicole Egan, Ryan (Julia) Egan, Kaitlin and Alex Frank; 8 great-grandchildren, Abby, Logan, Brynn, Kyla, Colson, Ella, Owen, and Ethan. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, LeRoy and Harvey Hagemann; sister, Lois Stebbins; infant grandson, Adam Michael Hall; and infant great-granddaughter, Hanna Rae Gunderson; three older siblings, Ruth, Verlon, and Lucille were lost to diphtheria in 1920. The family sends special thanks to the staff at Oakley Courts for their loving care of their dad. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, at Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church, German Valley. Pastor Jake Ritzema will officiate. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston. Burial will be in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Ray's memory. Please sign the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com.