Raymond F Gifford

In Loving Memory OfRaymond F. GiffordA Funeral Service will be at 10:00 am on Monday, November 12, 2018, at the Milford Mennonite Church with Pastor Tim Springer officiating. Visitation is on Sunday from 3 to 5 pm at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home in Milford. Memorials have been established to the Milford Mennonite Church. Interment will be in the Milford Mennonite Cemetery.

Raymond Frederick Gifford, 87, of Lincoln, formerly of Friend and Milford, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 8, 2018 surrounded by his family. He was born on December 5, 1930, in Crete, Nebraska to Allen and Hazel (Johnson) Gifford, the youngest of two children. Along with his brother Harold, the family resided near Crete and Beaver Crossing until finally making their home in Friend. After graduating in 1948 from Friend High School, Raymond attended York College and Taylor University before deciding to enlist in the US Navy in January of 1951. During the Korean War, he spent four years on the aircraft carrier, the USS Bairoko. Raymond had many stories and memories from his years of service that he loved to share. After his discharge in November of 1954, Ray returned to Friend where he met the love of his life, Dorothy Stutzman. The two were married at Friend Bible Church just six months later on June 11, 1955, and to this union six children: Emily, Jeanie, Melinda, Samuel, Thomas and Lana were born. Eventually they moved their family to Milford and later made their home in Lincoln. While raising their six children, Ray's passion lead him to a career in the piano and organ industry. Ray loved music. He was a tremendously talented musician and singer and enjoyed all aspects of working in the field. Later in life, Ray worked at Lincoln Memorial Park as the general manager of the sales department.Ray was a member of the Milford Mennonite Church where he led worship for many years. Ray's greatest love was family. He was a committed husband and father to the end with selfless and unconditional love. Ray never met a stranger and always managed to find the best in everyone.He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy Gifford; his children, Emily Gifford, Jeanie Madsen, Melinda Gomez ( Kelly), Samuel Gifford (Shannon), Thomas Gifford (Linda), and Lana Rosburg (Ken). Grandchildren, Tyrone Gifford, Joseph Madsen, Adam Madsen, Taylor Madsen, Luke Gifford, Elizabeth Gifford, Isaac Gifford, Nathaniel Gifford, Alixandria Gifford, Julienne Gifford, Karis Gifford, Ryley Haas, Alexa Haas, Jaxson Haas, Grayson Rosburg, Myah Rosburg, Alexander Rosburg, Christopher Rosburg; great-grandchildren, Kalani Baeza and Myles Mertens and special son, Tim Springer, and his in-laws, David & MaryAnn Hershberger, Norma, Eunice and Mary Jane Stutzman, and Marnie Mitchell, along with many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.Ray's preceded in death by his parents, Allen & Hazel Gifford, brother and sister-in-law, Harold & Virginia Gifford, nephew, Allen Gifford, father & mother in-law Harve and Jessie Stutzman, son-in-law, Harold "Skip" Madsen, cousin, Lyle Mitchell, in-laws Betty & Milton Troyer, Harold Stutzman, Gerald & Mary Stutzman, LeRoy Stutzman, Walter Stutzman, Daniel Stutzman, and Grace Stutzman. SERVICES Visitation Sunday, November 11, 2018
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Lauber Moore Funeral Home - Milford
101 C Street
Milford, Nebraska 68405 Funeral Service Monday, November 12, 2018
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Milford Mennonite Church
920 3rd Street
Milford, NE 68405 Graveside Service Monday, November 12, 2018
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM Milford Mennonite Cemetery

Milford, NE