Raymond J. “Buster” Zauha

Raymond J. “Buster” Zauha

March 23, 1937 – October 9, 2024

Raymond J. “Buster” Zauha, age 87, of Omaha, NE, peacefully passed away on October 9, 2024 in Omaha, NE. Born on March 23, 1937, in Cotesfield, NE to Joseph and Avis Zauha, he was raised in the Cotesfield/Greeley, NE area. Upon birth, his older brother Joe affectionately called him his little “buzzer” (brother), and from then on, Raymond was known as Buster.

Buster’s life was deeply rooted in farming. Whether as a child, young adult, or even in his later years, he remained connected to farming activities. After graduating from Sacred Heart Catholic School in Greeley, NE in 1955, Buster married Dorthy RaeJean Murray (the love of his life) on June 18, 1955, in O’Conner, NE, and they were blessed with five children: Debra Rae (1955), Dennis Eugene (1957), David Joseph (1959), Dean Michael (1960), and Douglas Paul (1966). In September 1956, Buster and RaeJean moved to Omaha, NE, where Buster worked in construction and part-time as a farm assistant. In March 1959, they relocated to Elkhorn, NE, escaping city life while Buster continued to work at the Omaha Quaker Oats plant and pursued farming part-time. By February 1960, the family moved to Arcadia, NE, where Buster fulfilled his dream of full-time farming and starting his own dairy. Over the next few years, Buster moved his family to various farms in the Arcadia area to expand his dream of owning a dairy. In December 1971, in Arcadia, he purchased a larger farm and, with his three eldest sons, built the family’s dairy barn, which began operation in December 1973.

March 1974 brought a new chapter to Buster’s life as he welcomed his first grandchild at the age of almost thirty-eight. Eventually, he became grandfather to nine grandchildren and great-grandfather to twenty-eight great-grandchildren. He operated the dairy in Arcadia until March 1987, at which time he and RaeJean moved to Grand Island, where Buster drove semi for about ten months. The couple moved to Boys Town, NE in December 1987 to work at the Boys Town Dairy. Four years later, in December 1991, Buster and RaeJean bought the house in Omaha, where they lived for the next thirty-seven years as Buster worked in the Boys Town Warehouse/Mail division until his retirement.

Buster cherished time with his family, enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and tending to his yard. Many knew him as a devout Catholic and caring individual who loved sharing stories through engaging conversations.  And that yard, how he loved to work in his yard.

He will be profoundly missed by friends, neighbors, family, and his wife of sixty-nine years. RaeJean.

Preceded in death by son, Dennis and daughter, Deb Schultz.

Survived by wife, RaeJean; sons, David (Cindy), Dean (Penny) and Doug; grandchildren, Chad, Cliff, Cole, Clark, Jenny, Stacey, Bambi, Mindy, Brianna, and Megan; 28 great grandchildren; sister, Margaret Tinnes (Bob).

Vigil Service: Sunday, October 13^th, 4PM at West Center Chapel with visitation from 2-4PM.

Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, October 15^th, 10:30AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Greeley, Ne.

Interment: Arcadia, Ne Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Boys Town.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com