Ray Dean Ridlen was born June 22, 1932, in rural Chase County, Nebraska, to James Pearl and Ethel (Roll) Ridlen.
    Ray grew up in Chase County and attended country school, later he received his GED. Ray was inducted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War.
    After his discharge, he returned to southwest Nebraska to farm with his family.
    On Aug. 10, 1952, Ray married Thelma May Cook at the Gospel Hall in Palisade, Nebraska.
    During the couple’s almost 66 years of marriage, they lived in Lamar, Wauneta and Palisade.
    Ray was a life-time farmer. He was also part owner of the Pioneer Café and he drove the school bus for many years.
    Ray was a member of the Palisade Bible Chapel, American Legion Post #318 VFW, Palisade School Board, Community Service Club in Palisade and Palisade Volunteer Fire Department.
    Ray enjoyed throwing horseshoes and he especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
    Ray passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019, at his home in Palisade. He was 86 years of age.
    Ray was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law Orrant and Lorena Cook; wife Thelma; son Stanley Wayne; brothers Lee, Paul, Roy and Robert; sisters Lois and Pauline.
    Survivors include daughter Charlene Pfanstiel and husband Grant of McCook, Nebraska; son Ronald Ridlen and wife Nancy of Palisade; son Byron Ridlen and wife Karleen of Anthony, Kansas; daughter Rhonda Ridlen of Palisade; six grandchildren Shawn Pfanstiel and wife Katie of Grand Island, Nebraska; Trevor Ridlen and wife Danielle of McCook; Russell Ridlen and wife Ashley of Oberlin, Kansas; Kim Pfanstiel of Grand Island, Nebraska; Keely Ridlen of Anthony, Kansas and Benjamin Ridlen of Anthony, Kansas; five great-grandchildren Emma Pfanstiel of Grand Island, Nebraska; Emmett Ridlen of McCook; Beckham Ridlen of Oberlin, Kansas; Hannah Pfanstiel of Grand Island,and Paisleigh Hughes of Anthony, Kansas; sister Marie Mader of Tacoma, Washington; sister Lucille Dinnel and husband Verlon of Imperial, Nebraska; brother Carl Ridlen of Fairview, Tennessee.
    Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at the Palisade Elementary Gymnasium, Palisade, Nebraska with Keith Trevolt officiating.
    Interment followed at the Palisade Cemetery, Palisade, Nebraska.
    Visitation was held before services on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the Palisade Elementary Gymnasium.
    A memorial has been suggested to the Palisade Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Palisade, Nebraska.
    Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com.
    Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta entrusted with arrangements.