Raymond "Ray" E. Steber, 95, of Florence, passed away Monday, December 30, 2013, at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital, Iron Mountain. He was born, March 20, 1918, in Antigo, Wis., son of the late Michael and Agnes (Noskowiak) Steber. Ray was the first born of nine children and was raised on a dairy farm in Antigo. In his teens he went to work in the CC camps before coming back to work on the family dairy farm in Antigo. He met the love of his life, Lorraine Lacoque, and on November 24, 1938, they were married. They recently celebrated their seventy fifth wedding anniversary. In 1954, Ray, following his dream, along with his family moved to Florence, where they started Steber Seed Farms. Ray served as Town Chairman for twenty eight years; he was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence and served on the parish council, the Knights of Columbus, was a charter member of the Lions Club, served on the board of directors for the State Bank of Florence, Florence Medical Center and served on the Florence Economic Development Commission for many years. Ray is survived by his loving wife, Lorraine; one sister, Caroline (Harold) Beck, Antigo; one son, Gary (Cindy) Steber, Florence; eight grandchildren, Wanda (Tom) Pontbriand, Rob (Karen) Steber, Gail (Dan) Donaldson, Randi (Andrew) Smith, Terry (Fiancee'Jennifer Witynski) Steber, Laura (Tomas) Hemgren, Chris (Jen) Steber and Daniel (Stacy) Steber; twenty great grandchildren, Amanda (Brett) Aylesworth, Tyler and Logan Pontbriand, Nathan Steber, Jeremy and Alan Donaldson, Jordan and Jacob Smith, Whitney and Randall Gregg, Hanna Zanon, Richard and Sidnie Steber, Madde, Alex and Samuel Hemgren, Bradly Steber and Carter and Wes Steber; five great-great-grandchildren, Devin Bieber, Caleb and Brody Donaldson and Lorelai and Alaina Aylesworth. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by one son Richard; daughter-in-law, Susan Steber, one great- grandson, Mason Steber and seven siblings. Ray had a life well lived with his three passions, faith, family and farming. Visitation will be Thursday, January 2, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence. Prayers will be recited, Friday, January 3, 2014, 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Friday 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, Florence. Rev. Fr. Matt Settle will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in the spring. Ray's grandchildren and great-grandchildren will serve as pallbearers; Chris Steber, Daniel Steber, Rob Steber, Terry Steber, Nathan Steber, Tyler Pontbriand, Logan Pontbriand and Richard Steber. You may light a candle in remembrance of Ray, or leave a condolence for his family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home, Florence to honor Ray's Legacy of Life.