A Memorial Mass for Raymond Shaffer, age 83, of Atkinson will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery with Military Rites Provided by the Atkinson American Legion Farley-Tushla Post 86. Memorial Visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Friday, January 5, 2024 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson with a 7 pm Parish Rosary. Ray passed away on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at his home in Atkinson after a long battle with cancer. Memorials may be directed to his family for future designation. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Raymond Joseph Shaffer was born in Atkinson on February 7, 1940 to Raymond and Josephine (Ruther) Shaffer. He spent summers in his early teens working on the family ranch near Keya Paha putting up hay. During high school, Ray loved playing basketball. He graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1958.

After high school Ray spent several summers working on the road with his father at Platte Valley Construction building roads. Ray married Bonnie Gokie at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Atkinson in 1962.

Ray attended Wayne State College for one year before being drafted into the U.S. Army in July of 1963. He did his Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was assigned to an Artillery Battery. After a while, he was promoted to Office Administration and was in charge of assigning personnel to Bases all around the world. His son, Troy was born while he was stationed in Oklahoma. Ray was Honorably discharged in 1965.

Ray and his family then returned to Atkinson where he was a traveling salesman for Grand Island Supply, a heavy equipment distributor. In the early 1970's, Ray purchased the Someplace Else Bar. He was known for his roast beef and rotisserie chicken meals. He retired after over 30 years in the early 2000's. He then worked occasionally for the Atkinson Livestock Market; sorting, preg checking, and inspecting cattle with Cliff Pacha. He also helped Delbert Rossmann during harvest driving truck

Ray was an avid league golfer, hunter, and fisherman. He also helped get the Atkinson-Stuart Country Club started. He was a member of the Lion's Club. He helped start the Duck Unlimited Chapter and later the Pheasants Forever Chapter. Ray never missed watching his beloved Huskers play. He was very proud of his 1958 Chevy that he bought after graduating high school. Many cherished family memories involve that car.

Raymond is survived by his son, Troy (Connie) Shaffer of Orangevale, California; two granddaughters, Jackie Shaffer, Samantha Shaffer; two sisters, Bernadette Dickau of Valley, Nebraska, Joan Mack of Mountain Home, Idaho; several nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters, Helen (Cliff) Lyons, Jeanie (Bob) Khole; and his brother, Gary Shaffer.