Ray J Hebda

Ray J. Hebda passed away on November 9, 2024 in his home surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Monday, November 18 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church-Krakow, rural Genoa.  Visitation will take place on Sunday from 5-7 pm at the Saints Peter and Paul Church with a 7:00 pm Vigil to follow. Military honors by the Silver Creek American Legion Post #263 and members of the US Army Honor Guard.  Interment in Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Ray was born on the farm in Nance County to Steve and Frances (Uzendowski) Hebda on November 4, 1931. He attended school at Dist. 32 and graduated from 8th grade at Dist. 23. He graduated from Fullerton High School in 1948. He then joined his father in the occupation of farming. In 1953, he joined the army and was honorably discharged in 1955. While in the army his unit was put in charge of setting up a new army camp at Fort Carson, CO. During this time Ray learned how to climb mountains using a rope harness.

Before Ray joined the army he met a girl named Betty Krzycki. They went to a few polka dances and enjoyed the time together. When Ray joined the Army he and Betty continued to court by mail. Ray came home in May of 1955 and they married on August 23rd at Krakow Church. They started their farming career on a rented farm by Genoa, NE and in 1962, they purchased a farm by Silver Creek, NE. Here they lived out their farming years. For 35 years they had a Grade A dairy operation. In their later years they switched to raising beef cattle. Ray's greatest enjoyment was operating a tractor or combine. Several grandsons and granddaughters would spend summers accompanying him on farm projects.

Ray truly lived by the words of the country song I'm Just A Country Boy , finding his "wealth of silver in the evening stars and his gold in the morning sun". Ray had a great sense of humor, a stern but fair discipline of work and honesty, but mostly a loving heart.

Ray served on the Merrick County Extension Board and was a 4H leader. He was a member of the American Legion at Silver Creek for 56 years and he was a commander for 3 years.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, his 6 children, 25 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. His children and grandchildren are:

Daughter and grandchildren-Janice (Terry) Fuerher; Kyle (Michelle) Fuehrer, Kelsey (Alex) Steffens
Great grandchildren-Aara Fuerher, Eli Steffens
Daughter and grandchildren-Joyce (Late husband Kenny) Huston; Joe (Nicole) Downs, Jamie (Dan) Deveno, Jennifer Cosaert
Great grandchildren-Lydia Deveno, Ryan (Jade) Deveno, Zack Deveno, Elizabeth Downs, Kaci Schmidt, Kyle Schmidt
Son and grandchildren-Dale Hebda, Daughter in-law Rena Hebda, Steven (Kara) Hebda, Rebecca (Andy) McNamara, Laura Garrett, Joseph Hebda, Rachel Hebda, Zach Hebda, Ben Hebda, Nathan Hebda.
Great grandchildren- Jace Hebda, Genesis Hebda, Luella McNamara, Ryker Garrett, Ramzi Garrett, Rowan Garrett
Daughter and grandchildren-Jolene (Mike) Volkmer; Katrin (Mike) Gallo, Eric Volkmer, Mathew (Emma) Volkmer, Jared Volkmer
Daughter and grandchildren-DeLois (John) Radke; Elissa Radke, Mary Radke, Sean Radke
Son and grandchildren-Ray (Denise) Hebda, Grant Hebda, Craig (Sarah) Hebda, Lana Hebda, Ross Hebda, Kirk Hebda
Great grandchildren-Evelyn Hebda, Oliver Hebda

Also to survive him are his sister in-law Mary Ann, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ray was truly thankful that he was able to stay on the farm in his later years due to his son farming alongside.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents Steve and Frances Hebda, his in-laws Joe and Edith Krzycki, his brother Clarence, sister and brother-in-law Evangeline (Lowell) Nesbitt, son-in-law Kenny Huston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the family where they will be given in support of the Merrick Foundations and facilities for the handicapped.