Memorial Mass for Michael C. Klein will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Father Thomas Lux officiating. Following the memorial mass, a private family inurnment will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.
Due to health concerns, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for Faith-Based Services and Gatherings will be followed. The Klein family sincerely encourage each person to make their decision whether to attend Michael’s services, based on the best interest of your health, and that of your community. Michael’s memorial mass will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622)
Michael Clarence Klein, 68 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2020, at the Bryan Medical Center East in Lincoln, Nebraska. Michael was born on July 16, 1952, at Kearney, Nebraska, the eldest of two sons born to Milton N. and Mary E. (Moore) Klein. Much of Michael’s childhood was spent on horseback. The child of horse crazy people, he was blessed with a childhood of chores, saddles, hackamores, harnesses, buggies, sleighs, and fun.
Michael married Jacqueline Ann McGuigan on August 14, 1971 at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney. They raised four children: Andrew, Benjamin, Molly, and Katherine.
When Jackie died in 2008, Michael thought life had ended. He was fortunate enough to become the “Luckiest Man in the Universe” by courting and marrying Vickie (Streff) Lawrence. The combined family of eight kids, five daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, one significant other, 19 grandchildren, and one grandson-in-law, became the new definition of family.
Michael graduated from Kearney High School in 1970 and from Kearney State College in 1974. He completed his education in 1977, upon graduation from the University Of Nebraska College Of Law, where he served as the editor of the Nebraska Law Review. Michael practiced law from 1977 until his death.
Long active in the community and statewide organizations, Michael served as a board member of: the Kearney State College Foundation; the Child Saving Institute; the Lincoln Diocese Catholic Foundation; and the Holdrege Area Chamber of Commerce; he also served as a trustee of the University of Nebraska Foundation; and as a board member and President of the Phelps County Community Foundation. Michael also served as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulture of Jerusalem; a Team Mates Mentor; and was a proud God Teen’s Mentor for four years, through the All Saints Catholic Church. He was an Eagle Scout, and was a long-time supporter of Scouting, and served in many capacities, locally and for the Council.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Jackie; father-in-law, Leonard Streff; a grandson, Brenden Lawrence; and a granddaughter, Camille Christensen.
Michael is survived by: his wife, Vickie Klein of Holdrege; his four children: Andrew M. Klein and his wife, Stephanie of Holdrege; Benjamin P. Klein and his wife, Jennifer of Lincoln; Molly E. Klein of Lincoln; and Katherine A. Klein and her significant other, Samuel Golson of Cozad, Nebraska; Vickie’s four children: Eric Lawrence and his wife, Karyn of Omaha, Nebraska; Joe Lawrence and his wife, Liz of Columbus, Nebraska; Kyle Lawrence and his wife, Abbey of Broken Bow, Nebraska; and Jessica Kennedy and her husband, Cy of Granby, Colorado; his brother, Mark A. Klein and his wife, Joanie of Kearney; 19 grandchildren: Jordan Reinertson and her husband, Jordan; Chase Christensen; Gavin Klein; Meredith Christensen; Ethan Lawrence; Jirsie Klein; Jacob Lawrence; Sadie Mae Klein; Noah Lawrence; Carter Lawrence; Grant Lawrence; Quincy Lawrence; Landon Lawrence; Rowan Lawrence; McKenah Lawrence; Piper Lawrence; Charlie Golson; Kendall Lawrence; and Evelyn Golson; two nephews: Matthew Klein and his significant other, Margaret Balch of Kearney; and Shawn Patsios and his wife, Heidi of Kearney; his mother-in-law, Marcie Streff of Holdrege; one brother-in-law: Rod Streff and his wife, Jeannie of Florence, Arizona; three sisters-in-law: Kathy Worman of Florence, Arizona; Connie Johnson and her husband, Bob of Bertrand, Nebraska; and Lauri Bosco and her husband, John of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; along with other relatives, and friends.
Memorial Book Signing will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege. Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
Michael’s wish was for memorials to be designated to: the Child Saving Institute of Omaha; the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; or to the All Saints Catholic Church of Holdrege.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is assisting the family with the arrangements.