Barbara Kay "Barb" Ray, was born on June 2, 1941, in Wymore, Nebraska. She passed away peacefully on November 26, 2023 at Beatrice Good Samaritan Society. Barbara attended Wymore High School and graduated in the class of 1958. She married the love of her life, Gary Ray, on January 17, 1960, at the Wymore Methodist Church. They shared a beautiful journey of 63 years. She was a proud homemaker and later turned her passion for gardening and yardwork into a successful business, Ray's Mowing. An entrepreneur at heart, Barbara's dedication and hard work led to her husband joining her in the business, making it a true family venture. Barbara was a woman of many talents and was passionately involved with the Cub Scouts, where she became the first woman to be awarded the two highest honors: The Merit of Honor and Silver Beaver Awards.

Survivors include her husband, Gary; children, Jeff (Pam) Ray, Doug Ray, Randy Ray, Shawn Ray, Chris Ray, and Candace Reed; grandchildren, Tyler, Ashley, Kobi, Kyle, Dalton, Sawyer, Jessica, Haley, Hannah, Seth, Cierra, Cheyenne, and Karlea; numerous great grandchildren; brother Jerry Mueller; brother-in-law, Terry Brownawell; sister-in-law, Cheryl Mueller; and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandsons, Ian and Derrik; sister, Pat Brownawell; and brother, David Mueller.

A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home with Sharon Schuster officiating. Burial will be at the Wymore Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the funeral home on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the family greeting relatives and friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. A memorial has been established to Make-A-Wish Nebraska with the funeral home in charge. We invite you to share your stories, memories, and photos of Barbara as well as view her funeral service on her memorial page at www.ghchapel.com.

These services have been entrusted to the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home in Wymore.