Raymond L.E. Spatz (Plainview)

FUNERAL SERVICE HAS BEEN MOVED TO 2:00 PM. SUNDAY AT THE ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH.

Funeral services for Raymond Spatz age 96 of Plainview will be held Saturday December 11, 2010 at 2 PM. at Zion Lutheran Church in Plainview. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM. On Friday at the Ashburn Funeral Home in Plainview. Burial will be in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Plainview.

Raymond Leonard Edward Spatz was born to Henry and Sedona (Wenzel) Spatz on November 9, 1914 in Walton, Nebraska. At the age of 2 ½ Raymond moved with his parents to their farm in Plainview, Nebraska. He was baptized at Bennett, Nebraska and confirmed at St. Paul in the Stark Valley area. He attended elementary school at District 65 and District 9 and graduated at 14 years of age from Plainview High School.

After graduating Ray traveled to New York where he worked for Straus Farms, and where he also credits getting his “college education”. He returned to Plainview where he met his bride, Dorothy Norris. They were married on May 21, 1936 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Foster, Nebraska, by Rev. Budde. The couple lived six miles South and ½ mile west of Plainview. In 1944 they moved Northwest of Plainview where they raised their family, Gary Lee, Charleen Kay, Lois Jean and Brenda Lynne. They farmed and raised dairy cattle. After moving to town in 1981 he continued to farm. At the age of 80 he decided to retire from farming.

While raising their family Ray was active with the Northwestern Dairy Club, and served as a leader. He was recognized with the National 4-H leader award. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, playing cards, shuffleboard and horseshoes.

He is survived by his children, Lois Mosel of Stromsburg, Charleen and husband Rollie Huntley of Emerson, Brenda and husband Roger Henery of Plainview, and daughter-in-law Mary Lou Spatz of Goodland, Kansas. His brother Wilber Spatz, sister-in-law Mona Mae (Connie) Spatz of Plainview, brother-in-law Vernon Norris of Norfolk, Nebraska, sister-in-law Cathy Paulson of Thorton, Colorado and brother-in-law Gene and Sharon Randall of Fremont, Nebraska. He is survived by his grandchildren: Christi DeGraffenreid and Rebecca Schindler of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Steve and Mindy Spatz of McCook, Nebraska, Clark Huntley and Melissa and Robbie Bose of Emerson, Nebraska, Mark and Linda Mosel of Merna, Nebraska, Deanna and Brian Kroeger of Clarkston, South Dakota, Regina and Mark Gale of Salisbury, Vermont, Michael and Chantel Kuhl of Norfolk, Nebraska, James and Teresa Kuhl of Creighton, Jennifer and Bob Nelson of Plainview, Nebraska, Heather and Travis Stacken of Creighton, Dawn and Mike Countryman of Lincoln, Nebraska. 45 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son , twin sisters and one brother.