| Franklin Kjeldgaard |
Franklin Martin Kjeldgaard, 72 retired Big Springs, NE businessman and civic leader, passed away on Friday July 6th. Visitation was held Monday July 9th at Austin-Tennant Funeral Home. Funeral service were held at 10:30 am, Tuesday July 10th at the First United Methodist Church of Big Springs, with Pastor Steve Gragg officiating. Interment followed at the Big Springs Cemetery. The fourth and youngest child of Vieva and Carl Kjeldgaard, Frank was born on September 4th 1939. He grew up in Big Springs and graduated from Big Springs High School.
A member of Theta Chi fraternity at Nebraska Wesleyan University, Frank earned his bachelor's degree in 1961. While employed at Farmers State Bank of Big Springs, he served with the Air Force National Guard and as a volunteer with the Big Springs Fire Department.
On June 6, 1965, Frank was wounded in a tragic bank robbery that killed three people. Although confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, Frank returned to the bank after his recovery and served as president until 2004, when the Kjeldgaard family sold the bank. Frank also partnered with his brother Wayne in the operation of Kjeldgaard Farms.
Throughout his life Frank provided service and support to the Big Springs Methodist Church, the Nebraska Bankers Association, the town of Big Springs, the school board, American Legion Post 275, Nebraska Wesleyan, scholarship funds and endowments and other charitable commitments. He cherished friendships throughout the region and the state, with people in many walks of life. The Kjeldgaard family expresses gratitude to Sally Corfield, Winston Corfield, Dr. Harold Keenan and others whose care did so much to ease his daily life. And thanks to Tripp for being a wonderful companion. Frank is survived by three siblings, Joanne Eoff of Goleta, CA, Dee Dougherty of Tyler, TX, and Wayne Kjeldgaard of Big Springs. He is also survived by eleven nieces and nephews, and numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews residing across the U.S.
These Theta Chi brothers have donated to the Theta Chi Capital Campaign in Frank's name.
Bill Lundy Steve Dakan Rod Bartels E.E. Davis Bob Kuhn Tom Hutchins Lynn Rexroth
Buzz Selko Bill Kirk Rush Tucker Jerry Clark Dick Nelson Vince Dowding Lowell Umland
Roy Lagerblade Neal Thomas Warren Woods Dick Trabert Gene Engel Bernie Heier
Jerry Keller Rich Frieberg Sid Meridith Chuck Trautman Bob Larson Don Mays Phil Larsen
Daryl Frerichs Bob Anderson Ron Hendrickson Fred Lapcheska Gary Mouden Paul Vencill
Ron Philips Dick Hall Joe Carlson Babe Ruth Marty Miller Chuck Wagner A.J. Sundberg
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