M. Raymond Severson

M. Ray Severson, 90, of Emerson, Nebraska died on Saturday, May 07, 2016 at Heritage of Emerson Nursing Home in Emerson, NE. Funeral services for Ray will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Emerson; Pastor Gretchen Ritola and Vicar Rebecca Truland will be officiating. The visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church. Burial with military honors will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Emerson is in charge of the arrangements. Ray was born on June 27, 1925 in Emerson, Nebraska, the son of J. Gordon and Ethel (Pearce) Severson. He graduated from Emerson High School in 1943 and later entered the United States Navy. After leaving the service, he was united in marriage to Threasa Roost on April 9, 1948 in Hiawatha, KS. The couple farmed near Emerson. Ray served on the board of Voss Country School northeast of Emerson and for many years on the Presbyterian Church Board until the church closed. He also spent time on the Emerson Senior Center Board and the Rose Hill Cemetery Board. On May 15, 1986, Threasa passed away. Ray was a longtime member of the Emerson American Legion Post #60. He is survived by his sons, Larry (Bonita) Severson of Eagle, NE and Ron (Chris) Severson of Emerson, NE; daughters, Darlene Webb of Sergeant Bluff, IA, JoAnn (Dave) Spence of Norfolk, NE and Sharon (Russ) Madden of Merrill, IA; 21 grandchildren; 51 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Ray is also survived by his brother, Ed (Dottie) Severson of San Diego, CA; sisters, Dorothy (Larry) Clark of Hemet, CA and Dona (Jim) Baker of Midland, MI; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Threasa; grandchildren, Lora and Shane Koopman; 2 infant Vanthuyne great grandchildren; son-in-law Brad Webb and grandson-in-law David Ibsgaard and brothers, Jim and Mike Severson.