Raymond "Ray" Staroscik

Raymond “Ray” Staroscik, age 93, died peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, surrounded by his family at his home in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2026, at St. Anthony Church. Visitation is Thursday, September 17, from 5-7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. vigil service at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Interment with Military Honors by The American Legion Hartman Post #84 Honor Guard will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Anthony Church or to the family for future designation.

Raymond James Staroscik was born on September 20, 1932, at St Mary’s Hospital in Columbus to Ignatius (Jim) and Clementena (Nosal) Staroscik, the fifth of eight children. He grew up in the Lone Star/Duncan area before the family moved to Columbus in 1946. Ray completed eighth grade and went to work at Swift & Co during the day and set pins at the Blake’s Bowling Alley in the evening after his father had a stroke to help support his family. At age 18 he went to work for Irrigation Pump Co as a vehicle loader.

Ray served in the Army National Guard from 11/21/1951 – 6/20/1954 as a Rifle Marksman. On 6/23/1954 he was drafted into the US Army and attended basic training at Ft Leonard, MO. He was stationed in Munich, Germany as a combat engineer for 16 months during the Korean War guarding the Berlin Wall, He received the National Defense Service of Medal, Army of Occupation (Germany) and Good Conduct medals before being honorably discharged on April 11, 1956, at Ft Sheridan, IL. On June 27, 2026, Ray received the Nebraska Dept of Veterans Affairs Korean War Medal.

Ray worked for Behlen Mfg. company on the construction crew which took him all over Nebraska and surrounding states including Texas. Ray worked for 30 ½ years for Loup Power District as a service dispatcher and retired on September 30, 1994. He continued to work part time for the next 25 years for Nebraska Lotto before fully retiring in 2021.

Ray grew up with Polka music and dancing and made every effort to return home on the weekends to attend Polka dances where he met his wife Virginia Hembd at a dance in Platte Center, NE in May 1958. They were engaged on July 2, 1960, and were married on April 29, 1961, at St Bonaventure Church. They were married for 65 years and together raised 5 children; Kevin, Diane, Denise, Kelli and Kurt.

Ray was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where he served as a Eucharistic Minister and Perpetual Adoration. He was an Honorary Life Member of both the Knights of Columbus #938 and the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was an active Life Member of both the VFW and American Legion. He served as the VFW Commander for 4 years and Adjutant and Trustee post for 16 years. Ray was on the American Legion Honor Guard for 46 years standing to honor past comrades at 871 funerals. In uniform he attended special events and Memorial Day Ceremonies in Columbus. He received the Keith Bryan Award- the highest award for an Honor Guard. He enjoyed horseshoes, bowling and recently cornhole. He loved watching the Huskers play football, volleyball and baseball. He enjoyed playing cards with family and friends, collecting stamps, keeping up the family genealogy and gardening. He was a “make it and fix it” type of guy who had everything organized and knew just where to find things.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents Ignatius and Clementena Staroscik, brothers Sylvester, Jerome, and Francis, sisters Evangline (Edward) Brezenski, Theonilla (Martin) Jareske, and Eleanor (Benny) Niedbalski.

He is survived by wife Virginia, children Kevin (Nancy) of Monroe, NE, Diane (Don) Carrig of Rapid City, SD, Denise (Todd) Lynes of LaVista, NE, Kelli (John) Carter of Fort Collins, CO, Kurt of Shelby, NE. Fourteen grandchildren: Craig (Nicole) Staroscik, Nathan (Amanda) Staroscik, Jacob (Kimberly) Staroscik, Lindsay (Drew) Niehaus, Joseph, James, John and Jason Carrig, Olivia, Maria and Lucas Lynes, Marcus and Liam Carter and Mazzee Staroscik and 10 great grandchildren. Brother Adrian (Marie) Staroscik and sister in law Alice Staroscik Chelboun.