April 19, 2016

Raily Koozer

Raily E. “Butch” Koozer, age 71,  of Alliance, Neb., passed away April 7, 2016, at his winter home in Casa Grande Ariz., surrounded by the love of his wife , daughter, and son.
Raily was born June 1, 1944, in Alliance, Neb., to Raily T. and Mary (Weaver) Koozer, the sixth of 10 children.
He attended country school at District 12, then completed his public school education in Alliance and graduated in 1962. His sophomore year, he attended Wentworth Military Academy in Kansas. After high school graduation, he completed Electronics School in Denver, Colo. and received his certification, thus beginning a lifetime of working in the electronics and communication field.  
On Aug. 18, 1963, Raily married his high school sweetheart, Colleen Christensen, in Alliance Neb., and to this union two children were born. Colleen passed away in May of 2004.
He began his career with Burlington Northern RR in Oct. 1964, and retired from BNSF in July 1999. Early in his BN career he also had a television repair business on the side.  
Raily met Denise Preble Dye in late 2004, and they both found the deep love that was missing in their lives with each other. They were married on Feb. 25, 2006.
Raily is survived by his wife, Denise; daughter, Gayle (Gary) Galster of Watford City N.D.; son, Todd (Kandis) Koozer of Gretna Neb.; step-daughters, Karina (Marty) Jones of Berwyn Neb., Trista (Cory) Rose of Hobart Okla., and Brianna Dye of Gillette Wyo.; Grandchildren, Kalin and Alli Mogen, Katelyn , Kelsey and Makala Koozer, Mahaya, Maysa and Makamry Jones, Lakyn and Taylyn Rose and Jordan and Samantha Wilson of Omaha Neb.; Great-grandchildren, Hailey and Caleb Wilson. He is also survived by Andy Mogen, his former son in law of Keene N.D.
He is survived by siblings, Leota (Jack) Lawler of Danbury Wis., William (Carolyn) Koozer of Antonito Colo., Jean Seidler of Alliance Neb., Betty (Tom) McDonald of Alliance Neb., Shirley Sulzbach of Crawford Neb., Bonnie McLaughlin of Alliance Neb., Sharon Nollette of Marydel Md., Toni Fanning of Cross Timber Mo., and Alan (Tammie) Koozer of Alliance Neb., Dennis (Diana) Christensen of Hot Springs Village Ark., and Larry Christensen of Riverton Wyo.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Colleen; baby sister, Rose Marie; brother-in-laws, Wilbur Seidler, George Sulzbach, Martin McLaughlin, Don Fanning; and sister in law, Kay Christensen.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 a.m., on April 25, 2016, at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Alliance Neb.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials be sent to the Alliance Wrestling Club, Attn Tara Herian 2106 Sweetwater, Alliance NE 69301, Jane’s Closet, C/O Lori Mazanec at Box Butte General  Hospital or donor’s choice.
 

WATFORD CITY WEATHER