Raymond “Ray” George Buescher, a devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather, was called home on March 27, 2026, after 92 years of life defined by love, service, and quiet strength. He lived his entire life in Kimball County, aside from his Military service and the past two years where he resided at the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Scottsbluff.
Ray was born on August 7, 1933, in Gurley, NE to Herman and Edna Frerichs Buescher. He served his country as a typesetter while stationed in Germany during the Korean war from July 1954 to July 1956. After returning home, he met the love of his life, Marcia Griffith and they were united in marriage on September 18, 1960. Together they built a life on their farm north of Kimball, where they raised their four boys.
Throughout his career in the oil fields, Ray earned a reputation as a dependable and hard-working man. He and Marcia shared a passion for preserving local history and were loyal supporters of the Plains Historical Society. In his spare time, you could find him in “the shop” working on his antique tractors, which he enjoyed seeing go through the Farmer’s Day parade driven by his family.
One of Ray’s greatest pleasures was staying involved in his grandchildren’s lives — teaching them to fish, sitting proudly in the stands when he could, and keeping up with every game, concert, and milestone from home when he couldn’t be there in person. His pride in his family was unmistakable.
Ray lived a great life — one marked by integrity, generosity, and a deep devotion to the people he loved. His legacy lives on in the family he raised, the community he supported, and the countless memories he left behind.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his sisters MaryAnn Quador (Dick) of Gering, NE and Maxine White of Lincoln, NE, brother Marv (Rhonda) Buescher of Cheyenne, WY, along with his sons Kevin (Lillian) of Colorado Springs, CO, Roger (Jodi) of Faribault, MN, Darin (Lisa) of Lexington, NE and Corey (Carrie) of Laramie, WY along with his grandchildren Marcus (Chelsea), Kayleigh, Andrew, Heather, Mallorie (Jaco Henning), Paul, Rhaelyn, Kiefer and great grandchildren Sebastian, Rose, Lestat, and Easton.
Ray was proceeded in death by his parents Herman and Edna, wife Marcia, and sisters Alberta Buescher, Ruth Buescher, Delores Fricke, Darlene Coombs, and Dorothy Norris.
Memorial services will be held on Thursday April 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Kimball with Derik Buescher and Warren Cico officiating. Burial will follow at the Kimball Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be held at Cantrell Funeral home on April 8, 2026, from 1-6 p.m. with family receiving visitors from 4:30-6 p.m. Friends can visit www.cantrellfh.com to share stories and condolences with the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Kimball Senior Citizens Center for their Meals on Wheels program, Plains Historical Society, or the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home.
