Ramon "Ray" E. Janssen
July 5, 1937 - December 17, 2022
Ramon E. 'Ray' Janssen, age 85, of Nickerson
Died Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Nye Pointe in Fremont.
Ramon (Ray) Earl Janssen was born July 5, 1937, in rural Hooper to Earl and Harriett (Graver) Janssen. He passed peacefully on December 17, 2022 in Fremont surrounded by his family. Ray was baptized at home and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Hooper. He attended grade school at District 16 and graduated from Hooper High in 1954. On April 10, 1960 he married Nancy Bang at Redeemer East Lutheran Church of Hooper. Ray and Nancy lived on a farm north of Nickerson until 1962 and then moved to Nickerson. He worked for his father at the Nickerson Bar and in 1963 purchased the grocery store in Nickerson that he and Nancy operated for 31 years. In March of 1976, they purchased a second store, the City Meat Market in Hooper, where Ray took pride in his homemade meat products.
Ray served on the Nickerson Village Board, Nickerson Volunteer Fire Department, Nickerson School Board, Logan View School Board, Hooper Commercial Club Board, Dodge County Zoning Commission, and Farmers Mutual Insurance Board. He was a member of the Nickerson Lions Club, American Legion Post #18, Masonic Lodge #72, and the Fremont Pathfinder Chorus. Ray was a veteran of the US Army reserves, serving from 1959 to 1962. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle where he served on the council and sang in the choir for many years.
In 1992, Ray was elected into the Nebraska Legislature where he served District 15 for 16 years. He served on and chaired many committees. He was known in the legislature for his integrity and honesty and always took time to listen to his constituents. Ramon (Ray, Ramie, Ray Jay) was a people person. He once was quoted as saying, ''I never met a person I didn't like''.
As busy as Ray was, his wife and family was always put first. Ray enjoyed being with his family, playing his harmonica, singing, hunting, and golfing. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Survivors include his wife Nancy, children Nick (Susan) Janssen, Michael (Vicki) Janssen, and Nola (David) Swenson; a brother Leigh (Sandy) Janssen, sisters-in-law Leslie Janssen, Elaine (Duane) Brand, and Ann Keene, seven grandchildren, five great granddaughters, and many nieces and nephews.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents, sister Erlaine Plugge, brother Monte Janssen, nephew Colin Janssen, brothers-in-law Lyle Plugge, Lyle Bang and sister-in-law Jeanyne Bang.
The funeral will be 10:30am, Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle. Burial will follow in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle. Visitation will be Tuesday from 3pm to 8pm with the family present from 5pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
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