Kenneth Lee Claar, age 84, of Sheldon, Iowa and formerly of Gibbon, Nebraska (the father of Mikal Claar, Sheldon) passed away on Monday, May 30, 2016 at Sanford Sheldon Senior Care Center in Sheldon, Iowa. His service will be 11:00am on Monday, June 6, 2016 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Gibbon, Nebraska with Rev. Michael Evan officiating, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Gibbon, Nebraska.
Visitation will be on Monday, June 6, 2016 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Gibbon, Nebraska with the family present from 9:00 – 11:00 AM
The Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon is in charge of the arrangements for 84-year old Kenneth Claar of Sheldon, formerly of Gibbon, Nebraska.
Online memorial condolences may be left at: vanderploegfunerals.com
Kenneth Lee Claar, was born July 21, 1931 on a farm in rural Gosper County, Nebraska to Beryl and Rosa (Genrich) Claar. Ken lived on farms in Gosper and Phelps Counties while he was growing up. He attended District 42 County School for grades 1-7 and Mascot for grades 8-12. He graduated from Mascot High School in 1948. Kenny then moved to Holdrege, NE, where he worked for Braun Furniture for one year before going to work at Anderson Plumbing and Heating. He was united in marriage to Joy Marilyn Musgrave on June 13, 1954 in Minden, NE, after their marriage they lived in Axtell, NE for two years and then moved to Holdrege, NE for four years before moving to Shelton, NE and then on to Gibbon, NE. Kenny worked for Kansas Nebraska Gas Co. for 32 years. In 2012, Kenny moved to Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon Iowa. He passed away on May 30, 2016 at Sanford Senior Care Center in Sheldon, IA at the age of 84 years.
He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard for nine years. Kenny served on various United Methodist Church committees and also as a trustee. In Gibbon, he was active on the volunteer fire department for over 25 years. He enjoyed doing things with his children and grandchildren. His hobbies were bowling, gardening, travel, water skiing and fishing. Kenny last water skied on his 80th birthday. Those who knew him would comment on what a kind and gentle man he was.
Those left to cherish his memories are his children: Mikal and Nancy Claar of Sheldon, IA and their children; Joe and Megan Gross, Adam and Erin Balk, Paul Claar and great grandchildren; Hannah and Conor Gross; Melody and Steve Torske of Lincoln, NE and their children; Kayla and Ashley Torske; Mark and Joan Claar of Overland Park, KS and their children; Nick and Stephanie Hoffmann, Amanda, Sara and Katie Claar and great grandchildren, Caiden and Willow Claar; a sister-in-law, Mavis Ganzel of Lincoln, NE.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Marilyn; his parents and two brothers, Keith and Beryl Jr., and his wife, Hazel Claar.
