Laura L. Kluthe
1913 – 2012
Laura L. Kluthe, 99 of Elgin, NE passed away Monday, December 31, 2012 at the Golden Living Center in Neligh, NE.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Elgin, NE. Visitation was held Friday at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin.
Memorials are suggested to the Elgin Community Center and the Elgin Area Community Foundation. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com.
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Laura L. (Kennedy) Kluthe, daughter of Edwin C. and Ellen “Nellie” (Cady) Kennedy, was born February 10, 1913 at St. Edward, NE. She moved with her family at the age of three, to a farm in the Deloit-St. John’s area south of Ewing, NE. She attended school at District #18 in Wheeler County for eight years and graduated from Wheeler Central High School in 1930. She spent the summer working for Dr. Sullivan in St. Edward before enrolling in nurses training at Lincoln General Hospital that fall.
On June 2, 1932 she married Joseph Kluthe at St. John’s Catholic Church in Pender, NE.
They moved to Elgin, NE in 1933 where they were blessed with five children: Barbara, Jerry, Juliann, Phillip and Jean.
Laura was a member of St. Boniface Church and a former member of the Elgin Women’s Club and Elgin Chamber of Commerce. She was very civic-minded, co-founding the Elgin Senior-Community Center, serving on its first Board of Directors and contributing to many community projects.
She was very active in Elgin’s Centennial Celebration and spent countless hours helping with the Elgin history book. She was an avid supporter of the youth baseball, basketball and other community teams. She loved her community, especially her neighborhood.
She is survived by her children: Phillip Kluthe; Barbara Ives; Juliann (James) Jochum, all of Elgin, NE; Jean (Ron) Andrews of Omaha, NE; 13 grandchildren: Wayne Ives of Elgin, NE; Chris (Nancy) Ives of Denver, CO; Brenda (Dale) Strieter of Rossmore, CA; Laura Ives of Littleton, CO; Jerry Ives of Seal Beach, CA; Karen (Keith) Shoemaker of Sioux City, IA; Joe Jochum of Lincoln, NE; Carol (John) Boyd of Dallas, TX; Bill (Diane) Jochum of Omaha, NE; Bob (Barbara) Jochum of Seattle, WA; Ryan (Jen) Andrews , Aaron (Karri) Andrews, and Jessica Andrews, all of Omaha, NE; 20 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren.
Laura was preceded in death by her husband Joe on March 14, 1977; son Jerry (airplane accident); parents Ed and Nellie Kennedy; and siblings: Francis Christensen, Helen Kennedy, Harold Kennedy and Allan Kennedy.
