John H. Van Raay

John H. Van Raay

1931 to 2013

John H. Van Raay, 82, of Potter, passed away Friday, March 1, 2013, at the Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.

Rosary Services will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday morning, March 6, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Both services will be in the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Art Faesser officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in John’s name to a Cancer related organization or to the church.

Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Tuesday from 1-7:00 P.M.

You may view John’s Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of John’s care and funeral arrangements.

John Henry Van Raay, the son of Louie Francis and Anna (Michiels) Van Raay, was born on Feb. 28, 1931 near Sidney. He attended the Potter Schools before returning to the family farm. He spent his entire life on the farm with his father and his brother. John’s lifetime passion were his cattle.

Survivors include one brother, Louie “Pete” Van Raay and wife Dorthy of Potter; two sisters, Liz Whitman of Cheyenne, Wyo., and Mary Ann Wiegand and husband Milt of Chappell; nephews, Kevin Schinzel, Mike Wiegand and Tim Van Raay; nieces, Anna Marie Hall and Luanna Soto; and numerous extended family members and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Francis Van Raay.