Robert Joe Raburn

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Robert Joe Raburn

Dec. 10, 1937 - April 16, 2019

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Robert Joe Raburn, age 81, passed away at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

He was born in Lebanon, Neb., on Dec. 10, 1937, to Floyd and Viola (Hale) Raburn. Joe graduated from Cambridge High School in 1956 and he continued his education for two years at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Joe then went to South Dakota State University and graduated with his degree in pharmacy in 1961.

Joe was united in marriage to Lorene Zysset at the United Methodist Church in Cambridge on June 8, 1958. Upon graduation, Joe and Lorene moved to Ottumwa, Iowa, where Joe worked as registered pharmacist. In 1968, the couple moved to Cambridge, where Joe purchased the Bellamy Pharmacy and in 1970, he purchased John Drug. He owned and operated Raburn Pharmacy for 20 years. He then went to work for Wal-Mart Pharmacy for 17 years, retiring in 2015.

Joe was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church of Cambridge. Joe served his country in the Army National Guard for nine years. He enjoyed family fishing trips to Canada, hunting turkey, pheasant and deer. He was licensed as a private pilot and enjoyed flying for many years.

Joe was an active member of the Cambridge community, having served on the Cambridge School Board, Cambridge Memorial Hospital Board and was a long-time member of the Cambridge Lions Club. He was most proud of his grandchildren and loved spending time with his family. After retirement, he spent many mornings at coffee with friends at the Cambridge Senior Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Viola; three brothers, Harold, Darold and wife, Sharon, and infant brother, Floyd Jr.; and two grandchildren, Casey Raburn and Hunter Westadt.

Joe is survived by his wife, Lorene; three sons, Douglas and wife, Kay of Durham, N.C., Derek and wife, Jennifer, Jay and wife, Michelle; daughter, Pamela and husband, Troy Westadt, all of Cambridge; 10 grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Marian Raburn of Holdrege, Neb.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 19, 2019, at 10:30 a.m., at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Cambridge with Pastor David Kim officiating.

Visitation will be Thursday at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery of Cambridge.

Memorials may be left in Joe’s name to Cambridge Senior Center or Trinity United Methodist Church.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge entrusted with services.