Lynn Ray Ward

Lynn Ray Ward, son of Ardithe Lela (Smith) Ward and Hugh Wellington Ward, was born on January 10, 1943 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Lynn grew up in Redfield, South Dakota where he attended school until joining the United States Navy. Lynn and Bonnie Erich of Redfield were married and blessed with three children, Deanna Marie, Samantha Dawn, and Tara Lee, who died in infancy. The couple later divorced.

Lynn served on the USS Ogden during the Vietnam War. Many of his missions during the war still remain classified today. Lynn graduated in 1972 from the Adult High School in San Diego, California. He and Edithe Irene Hanson were married on December 22, 1973 at the West Oak Pentecostal Church of God in Glenwood, Iowa. They made their home in Chula Vista, California where Lynn was stationed. As a military family, they moved often and lived all over the country including Charleston, South Carolina, Bellevue, Nebraska, Newport, Rhode Island, and Jacksonville, Florida, where he was stationed on the USS Yosemite. Lynn retired from the Navy in 1984 as an ICC Chief Petty Officer. The family returned to Glenwood where Lynn worked at the deli counter for No Frills Supermarket. His health forced him to retire in 1997 and the family moved to Mineola, Iowa.

Lynn was a painter and enjoyed Indian bead work. His passion was writing and listening to music. He loved his family and spending time with them.

Lynn passed away on April 26, 2009 at the Select Specialty Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 66 years, 3 months, and 16 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Tara Ward; grandson Tobias Schaefers; granddaughters Kathryn Pugh and Natalie JaNeanne Ward.

Lynn is survived by his wife Edithe Ward of Mineola, IA; children, Deanna Schaefers and husband Delmar of Anchorage, AK, Samanntha Pugh and husband Douglas of Chancellor, SD; Christopher Ward of Mineola; Jerusha Ward of Bellevue, NE; and his adopted daughters, Stacy Osbon and her son Scott Labs of Bellevue and Lindsey Bass of Hutchinson, KS; seven grandchildren and one great grandson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to:

Children's Hospital of Omaha
8200 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68114