Betty E Raymond

A Memorial Service for Betty Raymond will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastors Kevin Lund and Murray Jones officiating.

Inurnment will be held at 2:00 p.m. following the service and luncheon, at Fridhem Cemetery, Funk, Nebraska.

Betty Elaine (Peterson) Raymond, 93 years of age, of Funk, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.  Betty was born on November 10, 1930, in Holdrege, the middle of three daughters, born to Lloyd Claus Gotfried and Cleora Mildred Linnea (Falk) Peterson. She was raised in Holdrege and received her education from Holdrege Public Schools, graduating with the class of 1948.

Following her education, Betty began working for Hested's Dime Store, Nelson's Photography, and later, the Extension Service.

Betty met her future husband at the skating rink in the Holdrege Auditorium, sharing a love for roller skating.  On June 12, 1952, Betty was united in marriage to Bert Lee Raymond at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Holdrege.  The couple lived in Holdrege for a short time, and then Funk, where they were blessed with three children:  Scott, Sandy, and Steve.  The family made their home east of Funk, where Betty focused on her family and helped with the farming.

Betty came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior, at a young age and was a long-member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church, where she taught Sunday school many years, both in Fourth grade and toddlers, age two and three.  She could sometimes be found playing the organ at Trinity and also loved greeting people and making them feel welcomed.

Betty had a lifelong love for music.  She played violin in the high school orchestra, joining as a sixth grader at the invitation of the director.  She also taught herself to play the piano, and later, the organ.  More recently, she regularly played for residents of both nursing homes in Holdrege, until Covid prevented it.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bert Raymond in 2001; sister, Lois Cleora Peterson in 2007; and two sisters-in-law:  Lillian Anderson and husband, Harold; and Barbara Soderholm and husband, Arthur, Jr.

Betty leaves to celebrate her life; her children:  Scott Raymond of Funk; Sandy Rittgers and husband, Lee of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Steve Raymond and wife, Denise of Sidney, Nebraska; three grandchildren:  Robbie Helzer and significant other, Abby Norton of Des Moines, Iowa; Andrew Helzer and wife, Natalie of Des Moines; and Paul Raymond and wife, Abby of Gorham, Maine; one sister, ReNee Peterson of Holdrege; along with nieces, nephews, extended relatives and many friends.

A Memorial Book Signing will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

A Memorial in Betty's honor can be made to The Gideons International or to Trinity Evangelical Free Church.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.