Mr. Robert E Rains

Robert Edward Rains, 95 years old, of Crete, NE passed away peacefully at home December 24th, 2015. He was born Sept 7th,1920 in Peru Nebraska to the late Thomas and Marie (Vance) Rains. The family moved to Crete when Bob was in the sixth grade. He attended Crete Schools where he enjoyed playing basketball and graduated in 1938. He married Thelma Eileen Ostrander on July 20th, 1940. Bob entered the U.S. Navy on May 31, 1943 and was discharged in 1946.

In April of 1949 he went into the gas and service station business for himself and remained self employed until his retirement in 1989. Bob spent many hours doing bookwork, pumping gas, selling tires along with having coffee with friends at Hiedi & Harold's and Sportsman's Cafe in Crete. He strongly believed in keeping the local customers happy. He enjoyed being around his family, traveling and especially enjoyed attending grandchildren's sporting events, band concerts & holiday programs, 4-H cattle shows, dance recitals and weddings. Many hours were spent on his beautiful manicured lawn and yard. It was Bob's pride and joy along with having a clean shining vehicle in the driveway.

Bob is survived by his wife of 75 years Thelma (Ostrander) Rains of Crete, son Gary Rains of Parker, Colo, son and daughter-in-law Chuck and Sandy (Kasl) Rains of Dorchester. Grandchildren include Jim ans Jennifer (Cliffton) Oiler of Omaha, Cory and Amy (Bachle) Rains of Dorchester, Justin and Megan (Rains) Pekarek of Tonganoxie, KS, Tyson and Cassie (Rains) Vogt of Elmwood, Sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was also blessed with 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Thomas Rains , mother Marie (Vance) Rains, brother Larry Rains, daughter Patricia Rains, infant granddaughter Missy Cliffton and daughter-in-law Pat Rains.

A celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday Jan 14th, 2016 at Lincoln Memorial Funeral home in Lincoln followed by a luncheon.