Raymond Czuba

Raymond C. Czuba, age 83, of Columbus, died 02/23/2024 at Columbus Community Hospital after a brief illness.

McKown Funeral Home in Columbus, NE is handling arrangements.  No visitation.  Inurnment with a private family service will be at the St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Duncan, NE.

Raymond was born on December 22, 1940, in Columbus, NE to Henry and Leona (Krzycki) Czuba. He graduated from Columbus High School in Columbus, NE in 1958, and graduated from UNL with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering in 1964.  He received a Master's in mechanical engineering from Wichita State in 1969.

Ray moved to Wichita, Kansas after graduation from UNL and worked at Boeing.  He started his Master's while at Boeing and moved to Burbank, CA to work for Lockheed Aircraft Company.  Corporate life was not for Ray, and he left the aircraft industry in 1970.  While in California, he worked in real estate, and owned a water truck and a hydraulic backhoe, working on many construction sites.  It was in California where he met the love of his life, Shirley.  In 1974, Ray came back to Columbus to take over the family farm after his father's death.

On March 13, 1976, he was united in marriage to Shirley McClement in San Francisco, California. They made their home on the family farm southwest of Columbus.  Shirley brought out the best in Ray and they complimented each other in all ways.  Their life was full and they shared everything.  When Shirley was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Ray was at her side constantly and did all he could to maintain her quality of life.  Shirley passed on February 26, 2013 and Ray was never the same without her.  Ray continued farming until he died.  He loved being busy, playing a good poker or cribbage game, reading the Wall Street journal and talking about the corn markets with anyone who would listen.

Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, by his parents, Henry and Leona Czuba; and sister, Janet.

Survivors include his brother Lee, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, friends and neighbors.

Memorials to St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery.