Raymond F. Labens, 82, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Brandon Foster officiating. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 – 10:30 A.M. at the church with a family prayer service at 10:15 A.M. Memorials may be directed to the family. The funeral service will be broadcast live on the Gass Haney Facebook page.

Ray was born March 27, 1939, in Columbus, Nebraska to William and Dillie (Gullion) Labens. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. He attended school at District 23 in Colfax County and graduated from Kramer High School in Columbus in 1957. He served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1956 to 1964. On June 5, 1960, Ray was united in marriage to Marilyn Reick in Fremont, Nebraska. Ray worked at Moorman Feeds for over 28 years and after he retired he worked part-time for Columbus City Schools. He also worked for Platte County Ag Park for 15 years as a security guard.

Ray loved to hunt and fish, go to the horse races, and visiting with family and friends. He enjoyed taking road trips especially in the country. He was very proud of all his children and grandchildren, especially those that served their country.

Ray is survived by:
Wife: Marilyn Labens of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Linda (Bob) Runquist of Columbus, NE
Grandchildren: Angela Runquist of Grand Island, NE
Eric Runquist of Fort Myers, FL
Daughter: Lisa (Wayne) Cherry of Monroe, NE
Grandchildren: Shayne (Amanda) Cherry of Broadway, NC and children: Ashton, Brooklyn, & Makenna
Makayla (Marcus) Noonan of Tarnov, NE and son Malcolm
Son: Lonnie Labens and life partner Steven Schroeder of Eustis, NE
Daughter: Lori French of Sioux Falls, SD
Grandchildren: Steven Webster of Sioux Falls, SD and children: Izzy, Riley, Bradon, & Carter
Christopher Webster of Sioux Falls, SD
Nicole Webster (Omar Gonzales) of Hurley, SD and children Clara & Dylon
Brandi Webster of Lincoln, NE
Travis Webster of CO
Joshua Webster of Sioux Falls, SD
Arthur French III of Sioux Falls, SD
Aaron (Makayla) French of KS and children: Izzy, Riley, Lucas, & Paxton
Brandon French of New York
Courtney (Dohn) Dupreme of CO
Brother: Eugene (Bonnie) Labens of Omaha, NE
Brother-in-law: Milan (Mary Ann) Reick of Omaha, NE
Brother-in-law: Myron (Sandra) Reick of OH
Sister-in-law: Sharon Larine of Illinois

Raymond was preceded in death by:
Father: William Labens
Mother and step-father: Dillie (Gaylord) Johnson
Son-in-law: Art French
Brother-in-law: Ray Larine
Sister-in-law: Marlene Hopper