LeeRay Edens

LeeRay Edens, 93, of Grand Island, and formerly of Harrisburg, Nebraska, passed away at the Community Living Center of the VA Medical Center in Grand Island, lovingly surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be at All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Rev. Dr. Luke Biggs will officiate. Private family interment will be in the West Lawn cemetery in Gering at a future date with a Celebration of Life to follow. LeeRay was born January 27, 1933, in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, on the family farm. He graduated in 1950 from Kimball County High School, Nebraska. He attended Colorado A&M in Fort Collins, entered the U.S. Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged in 1955. LeeRay married Beverley Christiansen on January 27, 1957, in Denver, Colorado. Together, they made their home in Banner County, Nebraska, and farmed there for 49 years. LeeRay owned and operated Edens Construction, served on the draft board for the U.S. military for 25 years, was church treasurer for 20 years, Boy Scout leader, wrestling referee, and was elected to the Banner County Board of Commissioners in 1999. He moved to Grand Island in 2005. He was an active volunteer for the Nebraska State Fair for many years and was a regular blood donor to the Red Cross. LeeRay accepted the Lord in 1960. He loved Bible study, family reunions, the Cornhuskers, fishing, hunting, traveling, Veteran’s events, and everything family, especially his four granddaughters. Survivors of the immediate family include his wife, Beverley; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Terry Edens of Scottsbluff; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dan Thayer of Grand Island, and four grandchildren, Sunny Edens of Rapid City, South Dakota; Charley Edens of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; Emily Thayer of New York City, New York; and Carolyn (Jack) Stoll of Nashville, Tennessee; his brother, John (Pam) Edens of Gering, Nebraska; his sister-in-law, Ferrell Edens of Fowler, Colorado; and many nieces and nephews. LeeRay was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, a brother, and his beloved son, Michael. The family would like to especially thank the staff and caregivers at the VA Community Living Center for their care and love of LeeRay.

LeeRay Edens

January 27, 1933 - March 28, 2026

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LeeRay Edens

January 27, 1933 - March 28, 2026

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support