Ray Varel Karnatz, 93

Ray Varel Karnatz, the son of William and Jessie (Cassell) Karnatz, was born on August 10, 1926 near Davenport, Nebraska. He passed away on April 26, 2020 at the Thayer County Health Services in Hebron, Nebraska, at the age of 93 years, 8 months, 16 days.
Ray was baptized at Christ's Lutheran Church in Davenport. He attended Davenport Community School through 12th grade; graduating with the class of ‘44. He served a Tour of Duty in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Austria during the Korean War and attended Agriculture School after he returned home.
He married Margaret Gerdes on February 11, 1956.
Ray, a farmer, lived north of Davenport until 1977 when he and the family moved to their home on the Little Blue River south of Davenport. He was a member of Christ's Lutheran Church where he served as Councilman. He was an active member of the Davenport American Legion and served as the Commander of VFW. He was also a member of the Veterans County Service Board, and would frequently represent the Veterans as a Commander of Thayer County. In 1983-86 Ray served as Thayer County Commissioner, serving on the Weed Board and Blue Valley Community Action Board. Later Ray drove a school bus for Davenport Community School and because of his pleasant disposition many of the students grew fond of him.
Ray and Margaret allowed the Davenport Boy Scout Troop 333 to host their camp on their land for many years. He especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate in sporting events, traveling to many games. When Father's Day came around, he found it necessary for everyone to don the leather gloves and heavy boots to tromp around the pasture and cut thistles. Ray was known best for growing sweet corn every July and he could be found alongside Margaret cutting off kernels. During the Thayer County Fair, Ray could often be located with a lucky bingo card at the Lion's stand. Besides being a loving father, he was well liked by all and always had a joke or funny story ready.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Jessie; son, Brian Karnatz; brother, Lovelle Karnatz; sister, Rhoda Belle Lowery; sister, Ruby Lonsdale; nephews, Stanley Lowery, Darwin Lonsdale; and niece, Kathy Karnatz.
Ray will be missed by many friends and family. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Karnatz of Davenport, Neb.; daughter, Joanne Erickson and her husband, Keith of Gilbert, Ariz.; daughter, Nancy Schlautman and her husband, Neal of Saronville, Neb.; daughter, Lisa Karnatz of Phoenix, Ariz.; and son, Bruce Karnatz of Kearney, Neb. Ray leaves behind grandsons, Kirk Erickson and wife, Brittany and daughter, Charlotte and son, Bear of Gilbert, Ariz., Austin Karnatz and Brian Splater, and son, Jaxon and daughter, Ellie of Superior, Neb., Taylor Schlautman and wife, Kayla and son, Benjamin and daughter, Josephine of Wahoo, Neb., and Cody Stadler of Minden, Neb.; granddaughters, Mackenzie Bartek and husband, Kyle and daughters Siena and Tatum of Lincoln, Neb., Neale Goldsberry and husband Garrett of Davey, Neb., and Sydney Stadler and fiance Chase of Kearney, Neb.
Gravesite funeral and interment services were held on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 10:30 am at the Davenport City Cemetery by the Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Davenport, Neb., with Pastor Connie Raess officiating.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 6-8 at the Urbauer-Price Funeral Home in Davenport.
Interment in the Davenport City Cemetery at Davenport, Neb.
Memorials to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to Megrue-Price Funeral Home, 750 N Commercial, Superior, Nebraska 68978 or in care of www.pricefuneralhomes.com.
Megrue-Price Funeral Home of Superior, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.

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