Doris E. Kjeldgaard, 89, of Tekamah NE

Doris E. Kjeldgaard, age 89, of Tekamah, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at Golden Living Center in Tekamah.  Memorial services will be on Saturday, July 11, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Tekamah, Nebraska with burial in the Tekamah Cemetery.  There is no visitation.  Memorials may be directed to the family for designation at a later time.  Pelan Funeral Services in Tekamah is in charge of arrangements.

Doris Esther Kjeldgaard was born November 4, 1925 at the family home in the Lake Quinnebaugh-Arizona Township area in Tekamah, Nebraska to Joseph Sih and Minnie Esther (Moffitt) King, the third oldest of eight children.

On May 4, 1946, Doris was united in marriage to Neil Duane Kjeldgaard at the United Methodist Church in Tekamah. Her brother, Leroy King, and her sister-in-law, Dena Kjeldgaard, stood up with them. Into this union were born a daughter, Judy Elaine, born on March 2, 1947 and a son, John Eric, born on March 1, 1951.

Doris was an avid homemaker, but she did join the workforce when her husband Neil was hospitalized at the Veterans Hospital for treatment of TB in the early 1950s. She worked for over 15 years at the Kerwin Clothing Store in Tekamah, as well as a few years at Kolterman’s Five and Dime Store in Tekamah. Doris and Neil enjoyed many years of camping, attending music festivals, dancing, playing cards and gardening. She also enjoyed quilting, cross-stitching, collecting teddy bears and being with her family and friends.

She was a 50-year-plus member of the United Methodist Church of Tekamah. She was also a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and the F.O.E. Auxiliary in Tekamah.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Neil; parents; brothers, Leroy King, Kenneth “Doc” King; sister, Madeline Hardy.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Judy (Jim) Grothe; son and daughter-in-law, John (Elizabeth) Kjeldgaard all of Tekamah; sisters and brother-in-law Betty Buddecke of Grand Island, NE, Mary Syverson of Harrison, AR, Marilyn Joan (Vernon) Maxwell of Tekamah; brother and sister-in-law, Verlin “Bud” (Mary) King of Tekamah; sisters-in-law Sally King of Tekamah, Dena Carlson of Oakland, NE; grandchildren, Christine Bruce of Tekamah, Melinda Bruce of Bennington, NE, Chad (Michelle) Kjeldgaard of Walla Walla, WA, Brandi Kjeldgaard of Omaha, NE; great grandchildren Jennifer (Zach) Peterson and James Bruce all of Tekamah, Colton Bruce of Fort Dodge, IA, Tyson Bruce of Bennington, Dominic, Alex, Josephine and Aaron Kjeldgaard all of Walla Walla; great-great grandchildren Cody and Cole Peterson both of Tekamah; many nieces and nephews.

Doris Kjeldgaard