Ray Verhoeven

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 27, at First Christian Reformed Church; 2175 Leoni Dr, Hanford, California. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. at the Grangeville Cemetery; 10428 14th Ave, Armona, California.

Ray was born on the family farm in Hanford, California, to Pieter and Aariantje Verhoeven, who were early twentieth century Dutch immigrants from The Netherlands. He was the youngest of 4 brothers and 1 sister. He left Hanford Joint Union High School to work on the family farm and completed his high school education in later life.

Ray was married to Annetta (Koppenaal) Verhoeven on May 24, 1949, in the First Christian Reformed Church of Hanford. They were married 66 years before Annetta’s passing in 2016.

One of Ray’s first jobs was working with his brother Gerritt driving for Mobile Oil and Gas. He went on to the J. H. Degnan Inc. selling International Harvester farm equipment. When I.H. left the Hanford area he drove a cement truck for Kings County Ready Mix. Throughout this time he continued farming on the family farm and operated a custom cotton picking business. Ray enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting and musical events. Ray’s other interests and activities included serving as a Deacon for the First Christian Reformed Church of Hanford, singing in the First C.R.C. choir, and serving on the church’s Pipe Organ Committee. Ray also played the trumpet. Ray helped developed and served on the Maranatha Retirement Home Building Committee and poured the first load of concrete for the foundation. Ray and his wife, Annetta, enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, vacationing and RVing with family, and a highly anticipated trip to Europe to meet relatives in The Netherlands. Ray also participated in singing in the Barbershop Quartet organization, Square 8’s dancing, and H.U.H.S. Booster Club.

Ray is survived by his children, Gay Lynn (Jack) Smith, Jayne (Mike) McClurg, Pete (LuJean) Verhoeven, and Marten (Pamela) Verhoeven; his grandchildren, David (AnnaMaria) Smith; Nate McClurg, Ben (fiancée Amy Dixon) McClurg, and Elizabeth (John) Aaron; Anneka (Michael) Sybesma, Grant Verhoeven; Timerie (Kasey) Correia, Colten, Carson, and Danika Verhoeven; his sister-in-law, Johanna (Koppenaal) Ross Hille; as well as 15 nieces and nephews, their families, and his many beloved friends.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Pieter and Aariantje Verhoeven, his brothers John, Gerritt, Marten, and Peter Verhoeven, his sister Wolly Duyst Koning, and their spouses; his brother-in-laws Peter Koppenaal, Bill Ross, and Robert Hille; and his nephews Stan Verhoeven and Dan Ross.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to American Cancer Society and/or the Hanford Christian School. Ray’s family wishes to thank Optimal Hospice Care, and Ray’s care givers, Rachel Medina and Rachel Terronez, for their kind professional services and support.