Raymond Benker 11-4-1919 to 1-28-2011

Blue Hill resident Raymond Benker 91, died Friday, January 28, 2011 at Mary Lanning Memorial HealthCare in Hastings. Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill with the Rev. Joshua Lowe officiating. Burial will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Blue Hill, Nebraska. Memorials may be given to the Church. Visitation is Monday from 9:00 A.M.-8:00 P.M., Tuesday from 8:00-12:00 at Merten-Butler Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church. Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Ne. is in charge of arrangements. ******************************************************************************** Raymond was born on November 4, 1919 to George & Dena (Johnson) Benker, near Rosemont, Ne. He attended School District #78. He was drafted into the Army and served during WWII from November 3, 1941 to October 22, 1945 and was discharged as a Staff Sgt. He married Lola L. Snell on October 24, 1946 at Campbell, Ne. He was a farmer, milked cows and did part time carpentry work around Guide Rock, Ne. He attended Zion Lutheran Church, Red Cloud, Ne. where he had held many offices. When he retired they purchased a home in Blue Hill in 1990 and joined Trinity Lutheran Church. Raymond is survived by his Wife: Lola, Blue Hill, Ne., a son: Donald and his wife: Laurel, a daughter: Loraine Sue (Gene) Magarin, Blue Hill, Ne., six grandchildren, seven Great Grandchildren, a brother: Harvey, Hastings, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: John & August, three sisters: Anna Boettcher, Mathilda Pruden & Minnie Carlton. .