David (Dave) Ray Rogers, 73

David (Dave) Ray Rogers was born on October 8, 1951, to Ray and Dorothea (Wiese) Rogers, in Longmont, CO. He passed peacefully from this life at home on the family ranch northwest of Purdum, NE, Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the age of 73.

He attended various elementary schools in the Longmont area. When he was 12, the family moved to his current home on the “Wiese” ranch at Purdum. He attended seventh grade at District 136, the Eatinger School. He attended eighth through 12th grade in Thedford. Dave was an outstanding student and athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track. After graduating as valedictorian of the Class of 1970 from Thedford High School, he went to Doane College where he played football and was a thrower on the track team, graduating with a degree in Economics.

After graduation from Doane, Dave returned to work the family ranch in Purdum. In August 1978, he met his future wife at a dance at the Blaine County Fair. On August 2, 1980, a boiling hot day, Dave married Celeste Mary Atherton at St. Andrew’s Church in Bloomfield, NE. They made their home first in Halsey, NE, and later on the family ranch northwest of Purdum in a house Dave stripped down to the frame and completely rebuilt. They were blessed with two daughters, Megan Marie, and Sarah Celeste.

Dave was an avid reader, enjoyed watching and playing sports - especially baseball and golf - and had an insatiable sweet tooth. He adored his children and grandchildren and possessed a dry sense of humor that only came out with those he knew best. He loved farming and ranching and some of his happiest times were setting tubes and checking cattle with his wife and daughters, along with raising and racing thoroughbred horses with his brother, Dan. Dave is survived by his loving wife of nearly 45 years, Celeste (Atherton) Rogers; daughters, Megan (Buster) Smith of Omaha, NE, and Sarah (Charles) Kasson of Hallam, NE; grandchildren, Ruby Smith, and Meryl, Angus, and Josie Kasson; twin brother, Daniel; sister, Diane Mc Leod; in-laws, Bill and Jolene Fujan, and Dorrance and Patty Atherton; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Dorothea; brother, Richard; in-laws, Eugene and LaVerne Atherton; brotherin- law, Gordon McLeod; and two, much-wanted and loved, miscarried babies.

A rosary will take place at St. Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Church in Thedford, NE on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 23, at 10:00 a.m., in Halsey, NE at the Sandhills Elementary School gymnasium, with Father Matthew Nash officiating. Committal will be held at the Purdum Cemetery following the funeral, with fellowship and a meal to follow at the Halsey Community Building. Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later date.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of AseraCare Hospice in O’Neill, NE for providing such compassionate and loving care to Dave in his last months of life.