Raymond Eugene Blede, 82 of Brady, died on July 19, 2026, at Kearney. Ray was born Feb. 8, 1944, in North Platte, to Harold and Goldie (Rosentrater) Blede.
Ray attended Brady Public School from kindergarten to graduation. He was an active student, playing football, basketball, and track, but his favorite classes were ag and shop. He attended UNL where he graduated with a degree in ag sciences. Ray married his high school sweetheart Carol Ann Norris on June 19,1966. Because these two fell in love, their family grew with the additions of son, Todd Blede (Denise); daughter, Tyra Love (Rodney); and daughter, Tracey Porter (Michael). Then it grew some more with grandchildren: Corbin Blede (Addie), Lincoln Blede (Sydney Widick), Chloe Beasley (Kris), Ryan Porter (Amelia Howard), Christopher Porter, Dayne Porter (Miranda), and Logan Porter (Macey). The family grew again with great-grandchildren: Banner Beasley, Sammy Porter, Lyla Porter and Carson Lamphear.
Ray taught school in Ravenna after college before moving home to the farm. He was active in many things in Brady, including: Volunteer Fire Department as a firefighter, EMT, and Chief; Rural Fire Department; Brady School Board member and president; Lions Club member; 4-H Leader; teacher, coach, and the local Santa Claus.
Ray’s love was the outdoors and animals, hunting, fishing, camping, horse racing, farming and ranching. He was an avid traveler; he and Carol took anniversary trips every year to a different state until they had seen all 50 states and both Mexico and Canada. He was always ready for a hunting or fishing trip and took many of these with Gordie John, Larry O’dean, Craig Streeter and anyone else brave enough to come along. He passed the love of the outdoors and traveling on to his family. As the years passed and traveling far was not an option, he stayed closer to home and made daily trips to Brady to join the guys for coffee.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol; children, Todd, Tyra and Tracey; grandchildren, Corbin, Lincoln, Chloe, Ryan, Chris, Dayne and Logan; great-grandchildren, Banner, Sammy, Lyla, and Carson; and sister-in-law, Patricia (Charlie).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Goldie; brother, Harold Jr.; in-laws, Herschel (Joe) and Melva Norris; brother-in-law, Kenny Short; close cousin, Larry O’dean; along with many other loved family and friends.
Memorial services were held on Thursday, July 23, at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg. Inurnment was at Gothenburg Cemetery in Gothenburg. Memorials may be made to the Brady Fires & Rescue.
Online condolences can be made at www.blasestrauser.com. Funeral arrangements were trusted to Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel & Monuments of Gothenburg.