Gayle Klinkman

Gayle LeeRoy Klinkman, age 75 of Broken Bow, left this life and went to live with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, August 24th, 2017 at home, surrounded by his family, after battling an extended illness.   Gayle was born in a Doctor’s office in Gothenburg Ne., above a pharmacy, on February 20th, 1942 to Roy & Ruby (Copass) Klinkman.  Gayle was raised on the family farm in Sell Valley between Callaway and Gothenburg.  During his elementary years he attended a small country school, the Sell Valley school, later known as the White School through the 8th grade.  The school was located ¼ of a mile from home.  Gayle would either ride his horse there or often just walk through the connecting field from his home to his school.  He was lucky enough to have his own Mother as a teacher.  At the beginning of his freshman year he started attending the Callaway High School, graduating from there in 1960.   During his elementary years, Gayle contracted Polio which affected his throat, upper respiratory and cardio-pulmonary functions.  He spent nearly a year at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney due to this and even spent time in an iron lung. After that he was sent home to continue recovering.  He suffered life-long affects from this. Gayle would speak of how he was on a nasal feeding tube while in the Hospital and how the Priests would sneak candy in to him against the wishes of the Nun’s who cared for him.   After Graduating High School Gayle attended the University Trade School in Omaha and graduated from there with a degree in Auto Body.  After that he spent some time working at various Auto body / Automotive Shops in Callaway, Cozad and later in Broken Bow.  He eventually followed in his Father’s foot steps and went to work for the Custer County Highway Dept.  He held many jobs while there.   He often operated a road grader, became the foreman of the grading dept., foreman of the asphalt and oil dept. and eventually worked his way up the Assistant Supervisor of the entire place.  Gayle worked full time for 44 years at the County and then for several years part-time after retiring.   Gayle was always very faithful to his life in the church.  He was baptized and grew up attending a small country church, the Morning Star EUB, which later became the Morning Star United Methodist Church, which is located fairly close to the family farm.  After getting married, he transferred his membership to the Broken Bow United Methodist Church.   Gayle and his loving wife, Beverly (Andersen) Klinkman were married on November 26th, 1963 in Broken Bow Ne in the old United Methodist Church down town.  To this union 4 Children were born, Jeffrey, Deborah, Gregory and Robert.   Gayle was active in many different activities during his life.  He was a Boy Scout leader twice, a member of the Elk’s Club, a member of the Lion’s Club and a long time member of the United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed camping with family and friends and spending time at the farm. He enjoyed hunting in his younger years and was a member of different committees of the church, a proud member of the NRA and enjoyed teaching all 4 of his children to shoot.    He was very talented in wood working and building things.  If you could think of it, he could build it.  In 1975 they moved their current home to where it is now from 18 miles South/west of Callaway.  With the occasional help of family and friends, they totally remodeled the whole house with Gayle doing most of the work himself.  .   Gayle was preceded in death by his parents Roy & Ruby Klinkman and his in-laws, Andy & Stella Andersen.   Gayle is survived by his only bother Eugene (Judy) Klinkman of Lincoln Ne.  His wife Beverly of Broken Bow.  His son Jeff (Julie) Klinkman of Broken Bow, daughter Debbie (Richard) Tondreau of Broken Bow, son Greg Klinkman and close friend Santana Paskel of Kearney, son Robert Klinkman and significant other, Kim Clay also of Broken Bow. 6 Grandchildren, Joshua, Katie & Jacob Tondreau, Logan & Mattie Klinkman, Treyson Klinkman, numerous Nieces & Nephews and many close friends.   Visitation will be held On Monday, August 28th from 8:00am to 8:00pm at Govier Bros. Mortuary.  Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, August 29th at 11:00am at the Broken Bow United Methodist Church with burial to follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Callaway NE along side of his parents.   Memorials have been suggested to the Broken Bow Rescue Squad or the Morning Star United Methodist Church of Callaway, NE.