STERLING – Raymond N. Habben, 78, of Sterling, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013, at Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa, Ariz. He farmed all his life in Hopkins Township; and in later years, he was a real estate salesman.

Ray was born Nov. 17, 1934, in Sterling, the son of Elmer and Anna (Mennenga) Habben. He attended Hopewell Elementary School and Sterling High School. Ray served in the Army from 1956 to 1957. He married Janet DeLoe on Dec. 21, 1957, in Morrison. Ray was a lifetime member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sterling, where he served as an elder. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, where he served on the board and was president for several years. Ray also served on the Sterling Chamber of Commerce board and as the president for 1 year. He helped form, and served on, the agribusiness committee of the chamber.   

Survivors include his wife, Janet, one daughter, Barb (Andy) Montanez, two sons, Edward (Carol Inman) Habben and Kenneth (Malissa) Habben, and one sister, Ruth Koser, all of Sterling; two half brothers, Elmer Habben of Sterling and Ricky Habben of Peoria, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Danny (Valerie) Leal, Katie Habben and Max Habben; and one great-grandchild, Jakob Raymond Leal.