Raymond Charles Haag

Raymond Charles Haag

Sept. 4, 1929 - Feb. 27, 2019

BARTLEY, Neb. — Raymond Charles Haag, 89, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at his home with family at his side.

He was born on Sept. 4, 1929, to Leo and Bertha (Luther) Haag at St. Catherine’s Hospital in McCook, Neb. He attended grades 1-8 at District 82, a country school near his home. He graduated as valedictorian from Lebanon High School in 1947 and graduated from McCook Junior College in 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, during the Korean Conflict, spending 18 months at Big Delta base in Alaska.

He lived most of his life raising a family and running a crop and livestock operation on the farm that his grandfather bought in 1888, operating his combine up to the last year of his life. He was married to Donna Lamb on Sept. 26, 1953, in St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola, Neb. This union was blessed with six children: Cindy, Ann, Steve, Ron, Colleen, Jeanine. Donna was called to her heavenly home in May of 1969 when Jeanine was four months old. On Dec 27, 1982, Ray was married to Myrna Moon, and his family welcomed Myrna and her three children: Randy, Susan, and Kendall Moon.

True to the meaning of his name, Raymond, he was a protector and counselor of his family and those he encountered throughout his life. He was a role model for many, particularly for his willingness to help a neighbor in need, to share a laugh at his own expense, and to pass on the values of the farm life to his descendants.

Ray was an exemplary citizen, earning the prestigious American Legion Citizenship Award, in part for his involvement in many facets of his church and community, and certainly, for his involvement in Jack Helt Post 313 of the American Legion. He was especially known to serve as Post Chaplin for Military graveside services. He was a lifetime member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, a member of Knights of Columbus Council 2693, a charter member of the Lebanon Lions Club, and a member of the VFW. He volunteered as an EMT and fireman on the Beaver Valley Fire Department. He served on the Beaver Valley School Board for many years, I&RW Coop Board, 4-H Council, Red Willow County Veteran Service Board, and the Red Willow County Weed Board.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; sons, Ron in April 1992, Randy in July 1992 and Kendall in January 2012; brother and sister-in-law, Robert L. and Phyllis Haag; son-in-law, Charlie Patton; and great-grandson, Gus.

He is survived by his wife, Myrna; son, Steve (Shari) Haag of rural Bartley; daughters, Cindy (Steve) Seberger of Marshalltown, Iowa, Ann Patton of Cooper, Texas, Colleen (Rob) Michaelis and Jeanine Haag, both of McCook, and Susan (Greg) Kempel of Casselton, N.D.; daughter-in-law, Tracy Moon of North Platte; 23 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren; special friends, Jerry and Rozanne Walters and Roger McGraw; and a host of family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made in his name to St. Catherine’s Church Ramp Fund, Lebanon American Legion Post, or Beaver Valley Fire and Rescue.

Visitation will be at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel, McCook, from 10 a.m., until time of Rosary at 7 p.m., on Monday, March 4, 2019.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church with Father Greg Powloski officiating. Burial will follow in St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Indianola. Military Honors will be led by Jack Helt Post 313 of the American Legion.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is entrusted with arrangements.