Clarence Hugo Klein

Clarence Hugo, son of Hugo and Elizabeth (Trautman) Klein, was born October 9, 1915, on a farm near Wolbach, Nebraska. He attended country school and helped with farm work. Clarence later moved to Grand Junction, CO and worked for the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Clarence moved to Cushing, NE, in 1937 and worked for a farmer, Frank Berst. On December 11, 1940 Clarence was united in marriage with Frances (Tootie) Berst (the farmer's daughter) at St. Paul, NE. Two children were born to this union. The family made their home and farmed for over 18 years near Cushing. They moved to Elk Horn, IA in 1959 and Clarence accepted a position at Elk Horn Lutheran Church. He later worked for the Salem Lutheran Homes in maintenance until his retirement. Clarence was a member of the Elk Horn Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School there. He was a past member of the Fire Department for 24 years, Better Elk Horn Club, and served on the town and church councils. In 2007 Clarence and Tootie were crowned King and Queen of the Tivoli Fest in Elk Horn. Following retirement the couple enjoyed traveling and camping. Clarence could not resist the challenge of fixing things and he still worked in his shop until moving to the Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn in 2011. He died there on Sunday, March 9, 2014 at the age of 98 years and 4 months. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Ruben Klein, Gilbert Klein (Dorothy) and Emanuel Klein (Ila); and sister Vernita Fuehrer (Henry). Clarence is survived by his wife of 73 years Frances (Tootie) Klein of Elk Horn; son Larry Klein (Nancy) of Harlan; daughter Faye Nelsen (Jerry) of Anita; four grandchildren: Tracy Klein of Harlan; Marcy Paden (Eddie) of Syracuse, NE; Lori Forsberg (Wade) of Thief River Falls, MN; and Sheri Bernard (Jon) of Kingwood, TX; 3 step grandchildren: Jessika, Brittney and Cassidy Forsberg; eight great-grandchildren: Michael, Taylor and Marcus Klein; Mackayla and Cody Bernard; Hunter and Sydney Paden; and Jadeann Forsberg; sister Vera Stedman (Allen) of Wilderville, OR; brother-in-law Dale Berst of St. Paul, NE; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Music "ROCK OF AGES" CONGREGATION "HOW GREAT THOU ART" "THE LORD'S PRAYER" REV. KEITH MENTER, VOCALIST NANCY WATSON, ORGANIST Casket Bearers TRACY KLEIN EDDIE PADEN HUNTER PADEN WADE FORSBERG MICHAEL KLEIN JON BERNARD Honorary Casket Bearers MARCY PADEN LORI FORSBERG SHERI BERNARD TAYLOR KLEIN SYDNEY PADEN MACKAYLA BERNARD JADEANN FORSBERG MARCUS KLEIN CODY BERNARD JESSIKA FORSBERG BRITTNEY FORSBERG CASSIDY FORSBERG Interment ELK HORN LUTHERAN CEMETERY, ELK HORN, IOWA CLARENCE'S FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND NVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH HALL FOLLOWING THE FUNERAL SERVICE.