Ray Johnson

Raymond "Ray" Johnson, 67, of Columbus died Monday, September 29, 2025 at his home. Mass of Christian is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 9, 2025 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Visitation is Wednesday 4-7 p.m. There will be a 7:00 p.m. vigil service all at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Visitation will continue Thursday morning 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Interment will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

Raymond "Ray" G. Johnson was born October 26, 1957, in Omaha Nebraska to Jim and Mary Ellen (Marsolek) Johnson. He graduated from Creighton Prep in 1976.  Ray then attended Creighton University and Central Community College.  He married Doris (Dee) Keller on November 11, 1977, in Columbus Nebraska. They lived in Omaha before moving to Columbus.

Ray was a gentle man who loved the Lord, his family and friends. His strong faith, especially during his illness, was an inspiration and comfort to his family and friends.  He truly enjoyed spending time with his children and their families.  They were very dear to him.

A longtime member of St. Bonaventure church, Ray was active in music ministry, Knights of Columbus, and Adoration.  He also sang, played guitar and pedal steel with the band Bust'd Loose. The friendships he made with his bandmates remained strong long after the band retired. He enjoyed playing guitar with his cousin at retirement homes.

Ray worked at Mead Lumber, Behlen Mfg., and then, Coumbus Hydraulics, where he retired after many years.  He loved working with the engineering team at Hydraulics and said it was the best job he ever had.

Ray is survived by: Dee, children and their families, Ben & Desiree Johnson, Columbus, NE, Drew & Jill Johnson, Omaha, NE, Pam Johnson & Sammi Neiffer, Brookings, SD. Grandchildren, Jed, Aysha, Diadra, Lucy Johnson, Evan, Wells, Lennon Johnson, Finn, Grace Bartlett.  Parents, Jim & Mary Ellen Johnson, siblings, Celeste (J.P.) Michaud, Carolyn Coyle, and Chris (Kathy) Johnson and their families.

Preceded in death by Grandparents, Art & Minnie Johnson, Hank & Helen Marsolek, parents-in-law, Don & Phyllis Keller, brothers-in-law, Leonard Coyle & Pete Rubalcaba.