Obituary Record

Raymond Basil Furtak
Died on 9/14/2009

Raymond B. Furtak, 85

Raymond B. Furtak, 85, of Blair, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair. His body has been donated for research to Creighton University and the Nebraska Anatomical Board. At his request, there will be no services. His cremains and final interment will be next to his wife at Highland Cemetery in Ravenna, at which time his family will have a private graveside service.

Raymond Basil Furtak was born Sept. 29, 1923, in Elyria to Clemens and Agnes (Nowicki) Furtak.

He served in the U. S. Navy from October 1942 until October 1945, retiring as an Aviation Radioman 2nd Class. He served on the USS Steamer Bay, USS Lexington and USS Bataan CVL29. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Unit C Award, and was awarded the Air Medal by Admiral John McCain.

On Sept. 19, 1946, he married Daisy Grace Ahrens in Ravenna. The couple lived at Ravenna, Grand Island, and Alliance, before spending the remaining 48 years in Blair.

Mr. Furtak was a jeweler and clockmaker his entire life, and retired from Klopp’s Jewelry in Blair.

His family notes he will be missed and remembered for telling a joke or funny story to all who would listen.

He is survived by his brothers-in-law and spouse, Arno Ahrens of Grand Island and Allen and Nathie Ahrens of Cozad; sister-in-law, Roberta Hughes of Fremont; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Daisy, in 2006; a sister, Florence “Connie”, and six brothers, Al, Syl, Ed, Floyd, Ted and Leonard.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library~~~

Printed in the Washington County Pilot-Tribune on 9/15/2009


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