Robert “Curt” Ray, 62, of Tekamah NE

Robert “Curt” Ray, age 62, of Tekamah, Nebraska passed away Sunday, July 2, 2017, at his home in Tekamah.  Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 6th, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Tekamah.  Burial will be in the Tekamah Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 5th, from 4 until 7 p.m. with family receiving friends at Pelan Funeral Services in Tekamah.  A Masonic Service will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Tekamah-Herman Ball Association or to the Tekamah Fire & Rescue.  Arrangements by Pelan Funeral Services in Tekamah.

Robert “Curt” Ray was born to Bob and Iris (Jackson) Ray on April 13, 1955 in Oakland, Nebraska. He passed away July 2, 2017, at his home in Tekamah, Nebraska after a long battle with ALS, at the age of 62 years.  Curt grew up on a farm outside of the Bertha Community. He attended a one-room school house until 6th grade. He graduated from Tekamah-Herman High School in 1973. After high school, he attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a bachelor of science in business administration.

On June 12, 1976, he married his college sweetheart, Kathy Blanc. They spent their married life in Tekamah, where he started Curt Ray Insurance Agency. He was an active independent insurance agent for 25 years.

He enjoyed flying, boating, gardening, golfing, and coaching. He served the community of Tekamah in many capacities including:  Masonic Lodge #31, Tekamah Airport Authority, Tekamah-Herman Ball Association, the Voice of Tiger High, founding board member of Northridge Country Club, coaching 29 teams of Tekamah-Herman softball, and many more organizations.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clara and Nemon Ray and R.C. and Lula Jackson; father-in-law, Buck Blanc.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy (Blanc) Ray; daughters, Janet (Dan) Becic of Wichita, KS, Diane (Nik) Beninato of Fremont, NE, Holly (Kevin) Loftis of Craig, NE; grandchildren, Parke Loftis, Blake Beninato, Lane Loftis, Julia Beninato, Emily Loftis, James Becic, Mason Beninato and Clara Becic;  parents, Bob and Iris Ray; brothers, Greg (Deanna) and Dick (Diane); mother-in-law, Dee Blanc; many in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.