Raphael J. "Ray" Poplau, 89, of Grand Island, died peacefully on Monday, April 18, 2022 at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island, surrounded by family. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 22, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island. The Rev. Martin L. Egging will be the celebrant. Interment will be in the Grand Island City Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by the United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Team. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the family for designation at a later date. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Ray was born October 8, 1932 to John and Hilda (Heinrich) Poplau at Webster, South Dakota where he was raised and educated. Ray entered the U.S. Army on May 28, 1953, where he served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge on April 25, 1955. He was married to Janette Semmler on October 3, 1959 in Aberdeen, South Dakota where they lived until 1969. The family moved to Grand Island, where they raised and educated their family. Ray was retired from the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. He was a lifelong volunteer at his church, schools, nursing homes, and a 19-year volunteer at the Veterans hospital. Ray was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the American Legion Post #53. He is survived by his three sons, Tom and wife Claudette of Lincoln NE, Greg of Grand Island, NE, and Mike and his wife Kim of Hastings, NE. One granddaughter Kelli Malouf and her husband Matt. One step grandson, Josh Carman. One brother, Ronald Poplau and his wife Linda of Kansas City, Kansas. He is preceded in death by his wife Janette, his brother Norman and by his parents. Visitation Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Thursday, April 21, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 518 West State Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 Vigil Service Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Thursday, April 21, 2022 6:00 PM 518 West State Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801 Mass of Christian Burial Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Friday, April 22, 2022 10:30 AM 518 West State Street Grand Island, Nebraska 68801