Raymond Petr

Raymond Lee Petr, age 90 of Blue Rapids, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Blue Valley Health and Rehabilitation Center.

He and his twin brother Richard were born on February 18, 1935, on the family farm northeast of Blue Rapids, the son of Stephen and Bessie (Palic) Petr. He attended Patterson Grade School and later Blue Rapids High School, graduating in 1952.

Following high school, Raymond attended Kansas State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956. He married Barbara Jean Ochs on August 5, 1956. The couple then moved to Aberdeen, Maryland, where Raymond served in the US Army for two years. Following his service in the Army, Raymond worked as an electrical engineer for Southwestern Public Service Company in Amarillo, Texas. He retired in 1995 and returned to Blue Rapids.

Raymond was an active member of the Blue Rapids community. He served on the Prospect Hill Cemetery Board, was a member of the Central Branch Railroad Society and the Flint Hills Dulcimer Club and was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where he served on the church council. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, surveying, and handyman work.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Petr of Blue Rapids; two sons, Rodney Petr and wife Elizabeth of Acton, Massachusetts and Kenneth Petr and wife Rita of Borger, Texas; one daughter, Stephanie Hale and husband Brad of Overland Park, Kansas; one brother, Daniel Petr of Blue Rapids; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin brother, Richard Petr on September 2, 2025, and his sister, Martha (Petr) Kneuven on February 1, 2001.

A memorial service will be held at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Waterville at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church Zambia Orphanage, or to the Blue Rapids Tree Board Fund if you wish to contribute to planting trees in the Blue Rapids Arboretum walking trail (www.bluerapidscf.org/donate/treeboardfund or the Blue Rapids City Clerk).

The Christie-Anderes Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.