Raymond Lee Caspers Sr. passed away in his sleep on Dec. 31, 2024, at his home southwest of Auburn, NE.

Raymond was the first of five children born to Albert and Blanche (Gerdes) Caspers. He was raised on the family farm where he learned the value of hard work.

He was a faithful member of St. John (Stone) Lutheran Church, where he was baptized in May 1933 and confirmed in March 1947. He graduated 8th grade from a one room school (#41) in May 1946. He attended Bratton Union Consolidated, where he graduated in May 1950.

Raymond married Jean Strickland on Oct. 5, 1955 at St. John’s (Stone) Church. They made their home in Omaha, NE, where they were blessed with three children: Raymond Lee Jr., Diane and Jeffrey.

Ray began working for Allied Chemical in LaPlatte, NE in 1954. The company was bought twice (Arcadian then PCS Nitrogen) during the 46 years he worked there. For 38 of these years, he was president of the Metal Trades Council. He was an excellent negotiator. He was known to work double shifts when needed. He finally retired in 2000 when the plant shut down. Although retired, he began working Nuclear Plant shutdowns from 2001 - 2011. He worked at plants in NE, KS, MO, IL, VA and MI. Many plants were still requesting him to come back until he was 89.

Shortly after his wife, Jean, passed away on Jan. 12, 2003 he went to work the shutdown at Cooper Nuclear in Brownville, NE. This is where he met Lillian Scoggins of Fulton, MO. and spent the next 8 years together. With the help of his son Ray Jr. and Lill’s son Terry (Lynn) they remodeled the farmhouse he grew up in. During their years together, they enjoyed going to flea markets, garage sales and especially auctions. They attended auctions no matter the weather. Many auctioneers knew him by name.

Ray Jr. bought the family farm from his father in the 1970’s. He worked on the farm from the time he was a young boy until a few years ago. He received the Heritage Farm Family Award (150 years) in Aug. 2024.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean, dear friend Lill, sister Doris and husband Keith Coatney, Las Vegas, NV, brothers-in-law Dwight Hahn, Sioux Falls, SD and John Kelly, Anita, IA.

He is survived by sons Raymond Jr. (Julie Schwery) Omaha, and Jeffrey, Humboldt. Daughter Diane Price (Robert Garza), Humboldt. Grandchildren David (Liz) Caspers, Charlotte, NC, Kristine (Ricky) Welchert, Omaha, Dwaine Jr., Amber, Brandon Price, Omaha, Ashley Caspers, Auburn. Step Grandchildren Amber Comstock, Pensacola, FL, Justin (Sarah) Moran, Lincoln, Tony Knapp, Omaha. He also had 13 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandsons. Sisters Betty Hahn, Sioux Falls, SD, Carole (Dennis) Bartels, Anderson, CA and Barbara Grace, Elgin, TX. Sister-in-law Ruth Kelly Eiben, Atlantic, IA and brother-in-law David Strickland, Anita, IA. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family will be having a Celebration of Life from 1:00 - 4:00p.m. at Eagles Club, 1017 Central Ave. Auburn, NE 68305 on Jan. 26, 2025.