Robert L. Rager

Click here to view the memorial video.Robert “Bob” L. Rager, 80, of Emerson, Nebraska died on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, Nebraska. Funeral services for Bob will be held on Monday, March 30, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson; Rev. Gretchen Ritola will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Sunday from 3:00 until 8:00 P.M. at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 on Sunday evening. Burial with military honors will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Bob was born on February 22, 1929 at Walthill, Nebraska, the son of Frank and Ida Mae (Case) Rager. He attended school at Winnebago, Nebraska. He served in the United States Army from February 23, 1951 and was discharged on February 14, 1953. During this time he served in the Korean Conflict, where he was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star for bravery. He was baptized on May 24, 1966 at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson. He worked for Thurston County for forty years before retiring in 1993. Bob loved driving his maintainer, coaching slow-pitch softball, fishing and watching the Chicago Cubs. Bob was married to Jo Ann Nunn in Dakota City, Nebraska on July 18, 1953. To this union of marriage they had eight great kids. Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years Jo Ann, three sons: Butch and wife Teresa of Thayer, Iowa, Bob and wife Betty, and Bill and wife Rhonda both of Emerson, Nebraska; five daughters: twins Lela Rager of Emerson and Lila and husband Bob Hadcock of Decatur, Nebraska, Patty and husband Kenny Pojar of South Sioux City, Nebraska, Jackie and husband Rick Claassen of Dakota City, Nebraska, Paula and her partner Karen Mackey of Sioux City, Iowa. Bob is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren and four sisters: Betty Jane Richards, and Janet Lutjen both of Bancroft, Nebraska, Emma and husband Ervin Peters of Omaha, Nebraska and Mary Ellen and husband Bill Magnuson of Emerson, Nebraska, two brothers: Frank and wife Judy of Jackson, Nebraska and Tom and wife Janet of Mosinee, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by three grandchildren: Anthony E. Kubik, Joshua R. Rager and April Joy Claassen, his parents, Frank and Ida Mae Rager and two sisters: Wanda J. and Bessie Rager.