Raymond Joseph Weakland

Raymond Joseph Weakland, 78, Beatrice, died Thursday, May 15, 2008, at his home. He was born March 1, 1930, at Burchard, NE.

He worked the family farm until enlisting in the Marine Corps on Nov. 6, 1951 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA., then served in the Korean War as a corporal as a heavy truck driver. He received the Korean Service medal with two stars, United Nation medal and the National Defense medal. He was honorably discharged in November 1953. He married Bertha “B.B.” McConnell on Jan. 28, 1956, and she died March 1, 1963. He married Kay Ann Rasmussen on Dec. 28, 1963, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Beatrice. He owned a plumbing business in Iowa City, IA before moving to Beatrice and working for Tempo Appliance Store and then Daubendick TV & Appliance until he retired. Raymond was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, 55 Plus Club, Eagles Club Aerie 531, Bitting-Norman Post 27 of the American Legion and the Geddes-Thober Post 1077 of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, all of Beatrice. He enjoyed traveling, playing cards, flowers, gardening, bird watching, fishing, spending time with his grandchildren and special friend Rosemary.

He is survived by his sons, Donald Weakland and wife Lisa of Lincoln, Dennis Weakland and wife Miryam of Lincoln, David Weakland and fianc�©e Kathryn Gregory of Belton, MO; daughters, Deborah Murray and husband William of Beatrice, Annette Graeve and husband Brian of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Kelcy Weakland of Holts Summit, MO, Travis, Brandon and Kaden Murray all of Beatrice, Heather, Madison and Jackson Graeve all of Ankeny, IA; half-sisters, Lauretta Schultz of Beatrice, Florence Ullsperger of Beatrice; sister, Lillian Kruse of Hastings, NE; brother Francis Weakland and wife LaVanche of Beatrice; brother-in-law Ray Rasmussen and wife Dorine of Walnut, Iowa; sister-in-law Jean Renner of Beatrice. Preceded in death by parents, Francis and Hermena (Wenzl) Weakland; first wife Bertha “B.B.” (McConnell) Weakland; second wife, Kay Ann (Rasmussen) Weakland.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2008, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Beatrice with Father Steven Major officiating. Burial will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Beatrice. A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at Harman-Wright Mortuary Chapel in Beatrice. The body will lie in state Saturday and Sunday from noon until 9 p.m. at the Harman-Wright Mortuary in Beatrice. A memorial has been established with the Mortuary in charge. A guest book is available on line at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com and will be forwarded to the family. Harman-Wright Mortuary in charge of arrangements.