Raymond S. Pflughoeft

Raymond Stanley Pflughoeft loved to travel in his younger years, but his heart always belonged to the family farm in Ridgeway, MN, where he was born on June 10, 1933 to Walter and Madeline (Morcomb) Pflughoeft. He traveled to his new home in heaven on May 15, 2025, to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart and wife, Elaine (Wager). They were married on October 23, 1954, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this past October.

Ray was part of the fifth generation to live on the family farmstead established in 1863. He later took it over from his father and continued farming it for most of his life. He was extremely proud when it was designated a Century Farm in 1998. In addition to farming he installed barn cleaners, laid sod, and did other odd jobs. After retiring from farming, he worked at Peerless Chain and Behrens Manufacturing. He continued to live at the farm until the fall of 2024.

He never missed a trout opener with Russel Hackbarth, enjoyed deer hunting and spending time outdoors. Ray maintained an impressive garden with his brother-in-law Paul for many years and maintained an even more impressive flock of chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, peacocks and cats over the years.

Ray was a social bird and loved getting together with family, friends, and being a part of the Ridgeway community. He served for 6 years on the church council at Grace Lutheran Church and for many years made the special sauce and cooked the chickens for Ridgeway Days. He was always ready with a joke and a smile that lit up the room. Ray had a love for music and enjoyed sharing that love with visiting friends and family by playing songs like “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” on old records or the endless folk, gospel, and polka music he found on YouTube. He especially loved getting to know his great-grandchildren.

Ray is survived by sons, David (Sylvia) Pflughoeft and Jim (Gloria) Pflughoeft; daughters, Cheryl (Rick) Renner and Laurie (Robbie) Roberts; son-in-law Randy Bronk; six grandchildren, Rick Roberts, Mark (Nikki) Roberts, Sarah (Pip) Boucher, Sam (Molly Rafferty) Pflughoeft, Katie (Eric) Robinson, Michelle (Jared) Floodman, Tatyanna Bronk (Nick Knepper); eight great-grandchildren, Izzy, Olivia, Emma, Finley, Arlo, Wyatt, Kayson, and Riley.

He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine and brothers Erwin (Erv), Lawrence (Artie), sister Lorraine Spalding and daughter Jody Bronk.

We want to say thank you to Mayo Hospice staff and Pine Haven Care Center in Pine Island MN for their great care and support.

Visitation will be held at Grace Ev. Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, MN, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 10:30 AM until the memorial service at 12:30 PM. Pastor Jason Threlkeld will officiate. There will be a meal at the church following the service. He will be laid to rest at Bush Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of plants and flowers, please send donations to Grace Ev. Lutheran Church of Ridgeway, or a charity of your choice in Raymond's name.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Ray’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.