Raymond Junge

Raymond W. Junge, age 92 of York, NE died on Friday evening, May 13, 2005 at York, NE. He was born on November 9, 1912, the first born of eleven children, to Otto and Lena Junge at Benedict, NE on the farm that his grandfather, August C. Junge had homesteaded in 1872. He was baptized at home on the same day as he came into this life as a very tiny baby. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran School and graduated from the Benedict Consolidated School, Dist. # 3 at Benedict, NE in May of 1930. On September 29, 1935, he was united in marriage to Ruth E. Staehr at St. John's Lutheran Church at Waco, NE. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in September of 2001. Raymond and Ruth farmed in the Bradshaw and Waco communities until their retirement to York, NE in 1976. Raymond served his community and church in many ways. He spent a total of twenty years on the Board of Education of the Bradshaw and Waco School Districts. He served twenty years with the York County Agriculture Society as a Board Member and seventeen years with the Nebraska State Fair Public Safety Department. He was a committee member of the Farmers Home Administration for fifteen years. Ray and Ruth loved to fly their own plane for many years. On December 9th, 194-6 they purchased their first "Aeronca Champion" from Don Bair of Bradshaw, NE. With ten hours of dual instruction from Don Bair, Ray soloed on March 8th, 1947 with seven take-offs and seven landings. Ray and Ruth were active in the Nebraska Flying Farmers and Ranchers as Director, Secretary and Treasurer for eight years and enjoyed many "Fly-In's' and trips around the country. Their airport was located four miles south of Waco and was registered with the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics in Lincoln, NE in the State Directory as "THERE AND BACK". Ray and Ruth were privileged to travel the globe to Hawaii and the Fiji Islands, the European countries, Jerusalem and the Holy Land, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Venezuela, Brazil, North Africa and China. In all their travels abroad, traveling in the U.S.A. and Canada brought them much joy as they visited family and friends. Raymond was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in York, NE where in his younger years served as Sunday school Superintendent and Teacher. He was an active member of the Lutheran Layman's League for many years and held several elected offices within his church. Raymond loved the Lord and he and Ruth counted it a privilege to invest in the Kingdom of God through the "Building Fund' at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his three daughters: Marilyn (M. Douglas) Dey of Gresham, Rosalie Hillmer of York, Janet (William) Sabin of Lincoln; one son, John (Carolleen) Junge. Ten grandchildren: Kim (Allen) Richters of Beaver Crossing, Mark (Tera) Dey of Gresham, Nathan (Laurie) Hillmer of York, Jason (Rebecca) Hillmer of Bellevue, Quint (Denise) Dallas of Lincoln and Corinne (Mike) Martin of Lincoln, Brian Junge of Joplin, MO, Tim Junge of Lincoln, Angie (Erik) Wilcoxson of Gretna and Matt Junge of York. Eight great-grandchildren: Bailey, Garrett and Grant Richters, Lindsey and Austin Hillmer, Hunter Hillmer and Max and Michelle Martin. Also surviving are his brother, Wally Junge of York and sisters: Laura (Dean) Harlow of Hastings, Gladys (Homer) Rathert of Ava, IL, Betty (Bob) White of Delavan, WI and Ruth Ann Vandenbos of Gresham, OR. He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Mark A. Junge, grandson, Philip Dallas, son-in-laws, Gail Rystrom and Roger C. Hillmer and sisters, Josephine Jackson, Mildred Berndt, Eleanor Kohtz and brothers, James L. Junge and Merrill D. Junge.

Funeral services were Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church at York, NE with the Rev. Tim Marshall. Memorials may be directed to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund. Burial was at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery at Waco, NE.