Raymond "Ray" Harold Bathke

Raymond H. Bathke, 86, of Dakota City, Nebraska, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

A funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church, South Sioux City, Nebraska, with Pastor Michael Awe, officiating.  A recording of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Ray’s obituary. Luncheon will follow the funeral service at the church. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Raymond Harold Bathke was born on October 14, 1937, in Ponca, Nebraska, the son of Herbert and Elsie (Jentz) Bathke.

Ray graduated from Ponca High School with the class of 1956. He grew up on a farm in Martinsburg, Nebraska, and farmed with his brothers. He helped several neighbors on their farms.

He married Karen Goslar August 31, 1968, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charter Oak, Iowa. To this union they had three children, David, Randy, and Lori. They lived in Sioux City, Iowa and South Sioux City, Nebraska, before making their home in Dakota City, Nebraska.

Ray worked for IBP in Dakota City, Nebraska, for over thirty-eight years.

Ray enjoyed his grandchildren and was very proud of all of them. He enjoyed fishing with his family, he took every chance he got to go fishing with them. Ray had a passion for collecting and repairing tractors. He loved to play cards, especially Euchre.

He was a member of the Hope Lutheran Church in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Karen Bathke of Dakota City, Nebraska; two sons, David (Lisa) Bathke of Laurel, Nebraska, and Randy (Cora) Bathke of Orange City, Iowa; daughter, Lori (Danny) Jackson of Sioux City, Iowa; he was blessed with four beautiful grandkids, Ryan Bathke, Lauren Bathke, Jacy Jackson, and Josy Jackson; brother, LeRoy (Pat) Bathke of Dixon, Nebraska; brother-in-law, Lester (Donna) Goslar of Mapleton, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Elsie (Jentz) Bathke; parents-in-law, Earl and Rosie Goslar; sisters, Bonnie (Harold) Stammer, Betty (Wally) Evans, and infant sister, Rosemary Bathke; brother, Herbert (Janice) Bathke; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Earl) Johnson; brother-in-law, Melvin Goslar.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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