Ray Yant

Allen “Ray” Yant, 89, of Minden, passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the VA Medical Center in Grand Island. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the Minden Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Tom Barnes officiating. The service will be streamed to the church’s YouTube page. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Craig Funeral Home in Minden. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ray’s honor are kindly suggested to the Minden Evangelical Free Church or to the Minden Senior Center. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. Allen “Ray” Yant was born on August 28, 1935 in Minden to Virgil J. and Clara J. (Munk) Yant. He grew up in the Heartwell and Minden area and attended Minden High School, graduating with the class of 1953. Ray faithfully served in the United States Army from 1958 to 1959, and was in the Army Reserve until 1964. He was united in marriage to Karen A. Cushing on December 17, 1961 in Stratton, NE and to this union one daughter was born: Kim Larae. The family made their home in Minden where Ray spent most of his career farming, retiring in 1997. In 2007, Ray and Karen moved to Ankeny, IA to be closer to their two granddaughters. While there, he started driving transport for area car dealerships, where he was able to visit 48 of the 50 states. The couple moved back to Minden in 2020. Ray was a member of the Minden Evangelical Free Church, Minden Country Club, Elks Club, Minden American Legion, and the Ankeny Free Church in Iowa. He loved playing golf and traveling with Karen. Ray enjoyed playing cribbage, Some ‘R’ Set and pitch, and was an avid sports fan, especially for the Huskers. He was the best cake delivery driver for Kim throughout the years. Most of all though, Ray loved supporting Mia and Kaylee in all their activities and was their biggest supporter. Those left to cherish his memory include his daughter, Kim (Yant) Battani and husband, Jeffrey, of Ankeny, IA; granddaughters, Mia Battani of Iowa City, IA, and Kaylee Battani of Des Moines, IA; step-grandchildren, Zachary (Amber) Battani of Pleasant Hill, IA, Matthew (Joanna) Battani of Ankeny, IA, and Kathryn (Blake) Brewer of Woodward, IA; brother, John “Jack” (Sue) Yant; sisters, Lora Juranek, Kathy Senior, Carolyn (Sam) Magruder, and Mary Kampfe; sister-in-law, Mary Yant; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and close friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Karen; parents, Virgil and Clara Yant, brother, James “Jim” Yant; brothers-in-law, Dean Juranek, Michael Senior and Matthew Kampfe; and sister-and-brother-in-law, Zelpha (Burdette) Golding; and nephew, James “Jim” Yant, Jr.

Ray Yant

August 28, 1935 - January 2, 2025