A Funeral Mass for Raymond C. Klabenes, age 89, of Chambers, NE, will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 3, 2018, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, south of O'Neill. The Family would appreciate your presence at Raymond's funeral, but due to the limited space available at the church, the funeral will be streamed live at the Chambers Community Center.  Burial will be in the St. Theresa's Catholic Cemetery, with Military Honors by the Chambers American Legion Post #320.  Lunch will follow at the Chambers Community Center.  Visitation will be Friday, February 2, 2018, from 5-7 P.M., at Biglin's Mortuary, then we will move to St. Theresa's Catholic Church for a Rosary At 7:30 P.M.  Raymond passed away January 31, 2018, at his home.  Memorials may be given to the church to have masses said for Raymond, Margaret, and family, or to the family for future designation.  Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Cecil Klabenes was born on the family farm northeast of Clearwater, NE on March 18, 1928 to George Sr., and Harriet Louise (Houston) Klabenes. He attended District School #16 Grecian Bend in rural Clearwater before graduating from Neligh High School in 1945. He attended a dance in 1947 and met the woman who would become his wife, Margaret Irene Thiele.  There was a strong mutual attraction that led to 52 years of marriage.  The couple was married on September 2, 1950, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Clearwater.  The newlyweds were able to take an extended honeymoon as they slowly made their way west through Utah and Idaho, stopping at several places along the way until they reached the Pacific Ocean.  Traveling down through the coast, they saw the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.  They then headed back east through the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.  They found out quickly that gambling wasn't a very good way to make money.

Back home, they settled into married life on a farm, seven miles north of Clearwater.  They had about 10 milk cows and some stock cows.  In 1952, Raymond was called to the Army and he had a farm sale.  He went to Fort Riley, Kansas, for Basic Training.  Margaret got an apartment there and worked at the Base's Laundry.  At one point, Raymond was in the woods for Bivwac (field) training and decided he wasn't going to be able to spend two whole weeks away from his young bride.  Margaret and another lady went to the store and bought watermelons, candy bars and a bunch of other survival food and went into the woods to locate and feed their men.  Just as they settled down to eat, someone noticed their Sergeant coming up over the hill.  Raymond was the only one who took responsibility for the violation and got chewed out Army style.

In the fall of 1952, Raymond had to leave his pregnant wife and leave for Germany, where he was a Military Policeman. Margaret moved back to live with her folks in Clearwater.  Raymond couldn't get a furlough to see his new daughter, but he COULD get one to find a place to live when he got back home.  Sandra was born on January 5, 1953 at the Neligh Hospital.  Raymond was able to get a 30-day furlough in August of 1953 and flew to Omaha where Margaret and his infant daughter met him.  During this leave, they came to the Chambers area where they purchased their present farm, north of Chambers, NE.

When Raymond came home, after his discharge in February of 1954, he was able to settle back into farming.  Throughout the next 46 years, they raised 11 children.  They built up their farm, survived injuries and illnesses, and constructed their new brick home, enduring the usual ups and downs of family life.   They were able to take some time for fishing trips and picnics and a few vacations.  One family vacation was taken in Canada, where they fished and camped at Lac Laront.  Another trip was made to the Black Hills, and one to Yellowstone National Park.

More than anything, Raymond loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. Raymond was also a very devoted, hard-working man. Whether it was milking cows, working cattle, riding his horses, moving dirt with the srcaper, or just walking the fields, He loved every aspect of living on the farm/ranch.

He was a member of St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Chambers American Legion Post #320 and a long- time member of the Chambers School Board. Raymond really enjoyed living in the Chambers Community.

Raymond is survived by his 8 sons;  Stanley Klabenes and wife Kristi of Post Falls, ID, Kenneth Klabenes and wife Kathleen of Chambers, NE, Greg Klabenes and wife Marijo of Inman, NE,  Bill Klabenes and wife Pam of Lincoln, NE, Kevin Klabenes of Creighton, NE, Mark Klabenes and wife Debbie of Chambers, NE, Duane Klabenes of Chambers, NE, Steve Klabenes and wife Kerri of Chambers, NE, 3 daughters; Sandra Parson of Pacific Junction, IA, Kristine Bernt and husband Robert of Spalding, NE, Karen Seaman and husband Tom of Newell, SD, 55 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, 3 brothers and 6 sisters; George Jr Klabenes and wife Kay, Donald Klabenes and wife Lois, Marvin Klabenes and wife Pam, Rena Mae Wattles, June Huffman, Joanne Allemang, Sherry Snodgrass, all of Clearwater, NE, Don Marshall and wife Kathy of Fort Worth, TX, Carol Wolfe of Neligh, NE.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Sr and H. Louise Klabenes, one brother, Roy Lee Klabenes, one infant sister, Sharon Klabenes, and his beloved wife of 52 years, Margaret Klabenes,