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1923 Raymond 2012

Raymond E. Leth

December 22, 1923 — July 16, 2012

Raymond E. Leth, 88 of St. Paul died Monday, July 16, 2012 at the Veteran's Hospital in Grand Island.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. The Rev. Kati Salmons will officiate.

Interment will be in Elmwood Cemetery with military honors by the Carl Mogensen American Legion Post #119 of St. Paul. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Thursday at Jacobsen-Greenway Funeral Home in St. Paul.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, Howard County Historical Society, or the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Leth was born December 22, 1923 at his parents home in St. Paul, Nebraska to Peter & Bertha (Zimbleman) Leth.

He received his education at rural school District 79 south of St. Paul and graduated from St. Paul High school in 1940. He attended St. Paul Business College. Raymond worked in Washington, D.C. before being inducted into the military. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from May 1943 through December 1945. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific-Theater of Operations in New Guinea, Philippines and later in Osaka, Japan.

On August 4th, 1946 he married Virginia Gee at Palmer, Nebraska. The couple made their home on farms south of St. Paul, moving to the family farm in 1962. He farmed for 42 years.

He received the "Good Neighbor Award" and the "Young Farmers Award" during that time. He worked for ASCS as County Committeeman, Clerk and later Executive Director, retiring in 1988 with 30 years of service with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. Following his retirement they moved into St. Paul.

His wife Virginia died on March 19, 2003. Ray continued to live in St. Paul and moved to the Matelyn Retirement Community in January 2012.

Raymond was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Howard County Historical Society for years and a current Board Member, American Legion Carl Morgensen Post 119, Forty and Eight Voiture 136, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and NARF (National Association of Retired Federal Employees). He was a past school board member for 6 years, Feeders & Breeders officer and volunteer for many American Legion activities, some include: Commander and Past Commander of American Legion Post 119, Commander of firing squad for Military Funerals for 35 years, Member of the Legion Drum & Bugle Corps., and marched in many parades which included State and National Conventions.

Survivors include a daughter Karen Leth, a son Gary and daughter-in-law Karen of St. Paul, Daughter - in-law Marilyn Leth of Grand Island, one brother Harry of Leawood, KS. Eight grandchildren, Paula & Kevin Rose, Matthew & Jacque Janulewicz, Pam & Brett Little, Jodi & Dean Van Emmerik, Josh & Holly Leth, Jason, Brandon, and Megan Leth, and 11 great grandchildren. He is also survived by a dear friend Evelyn Dvorak.

He was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, infant daughter Charlotte, son Melvin Leth, a brother Lyle Leth, an infant brother, and his parents Peter & Bertha Leth.


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