Raymond J. Stock

Raymond J. Stock, 81, of Columbus, NE passed away on Friday, December 1, 2023, at Columbus, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the St. Isidore Catholic Church, Columbus, NE with Fr. Joseph Miksch and Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz officiating. Immediately following the service the burial will be at St. Edward Catholic Cemetery, St. Edward, NE with Military Rites conducted by Crosier American Legion Post #226 of St. Edward, NE, Army Funeral Honor Guard, and the American Legion Riders. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Isidore Catholic Church with a 6 p.m. wake service.  There will be a luncheon following the burial at St. Edward Catholic Church, St. Edward, NE.

Memorials are suggested to ALS of the Heartland, and Parkinson's Nebraska.

Miller-Levander Funeral Home in St. Edward, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond (Ray) John Stock was born April 25, 1942, to Frank and Josephine (Molczyk) Stock on a farm in rural Lindsay, Nebraska. He attended St. Michael's Catholic Boarding School in Tarnov, Sacred Heart Catholic School in Cornlea, and Humphrey High School. He was united in marriage to Julianne Pfeifer in St. Bernard Catholic Church on July 4, 1964. To this union, seven children were born: Ron, Mark, Susie, Cindi, Keri Ann, Amy, and Angie. Ray was always teaching and taught his children the importance of hard work and treating people right. He lived a life that exemplified the values of simplicity, resourcefulness, and persistence.

Ray served in the Nebraska National Guard and was on the Board of the Farmer's Home Administration. He was a farmer and agribusinessman for over 50 years. Ray sold equipment, including Buffalo Cultivators and T & L Pivots. He was an innovative problem solver, mechanic, and a pioneer in no-till farming. Ray was in the hay hauling and hay brokerage business. Alfalfa was his favorite crop.

His pastimes included attending auctions, traveling, and fixing ALL things. Ray and Julie wintered in Nevada and Arizona. Ray was proud of his Polish heritage. He spoke Polish and loved to polka dance. His favorite song was "The Clarinet Polka".

Ray is survived by Julianne, his loving wife of 59 years, six children: Ron (Kristin) Stock of Duncan, NE; Mark (Kris) Stock of St. Edward, NE; Susie (Todd) Nordeen of Alliance, NE; Cindi (Michael) Romero of Windsor, CO; Amy (Tim) Nelson of Yankton, SD; and Angie (John) Landauer of Arlington, NE. Ray is survived by nineteen grandchildren: Daniel (Hailey) Stock, Andrea Stock, Eric Stock, Nick Stock, Mikenzie (Garrett) Lane, Klayton Nordeen, Sydney Nordeen, Lexi (Skylar) Vincent, Curtis Romero, Kaitlin Roan, Taylor Roan, Erika Roan, Simon Schumacher, Joel Schumacher, Grant Nelson, Garrett Nelson, Alaina Nelson, Julia Landauer and Jack Landauer. Ray is survived by six great grandchildren: Morgan Cumming, Bentley Roan and Tyson, Kayson, Emiley, and Addison Shotkoski. He is also survived by brother Eugene (Carolyn) Stock, many brothers and sisters-in-law and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, beloved daughter Keri Ann, infant brother Joseph, brother Tom and wife JoAnn Stock, and niece Sheri Stock.

Ray was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed.