Larry James Kjeldgaard

Larry James Kjeldgaard, 89, of Bancroft, NE, died on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn, NE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Bancroft, NE. A Rosary service will be held on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, visitation will follow until the time of the funeral at 2:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will be in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery near Bancroft. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft. Larry was born on April 22, 1933, to Emil and Mae (Conway) Kjeldgaard in rural Bancroft and Lyons. He attended and graduated from Bancroft High School in 1950. Following graduation, he farmed with his dad until he was drafted into the Army. Larry served during the Korean War as a combat engineer, he was stationed in France. He served for 2 years then returned to the Bancroft area and continued farming with his dad. On February 15, 1958, Larry married Nona Warren, the couple was blessed with 64 years of marriage and had seven children. The couple farmed and fed livestock and were involved in other agricultural-related businesses. Larry and Nona owned and operated Larry’s Bar in Bancroft with the motto: “Good friends meet here”. Larry loved spending time with his friends and family. He enjoyed making Sunday breakfast for his family, spoiling his grandkids with trips to the candy store, giving them rides in the wagon, and having pudding parties. He also loved traveling and following Husker and Bancroft sports. Lar was kind, generous, patriotic, and devoted to his faith, family, and community. He had a smile and a friendly wave for everyone he came across and could turn a stranger into a friend in one short conversation. These loving traits were his doorway to his true passion of faith, family and community. Larry was a devoted catholic and served his faith as a eucharistic minister and on the Holy Cross Church Parish Council. He served his community as an EMT for the Bancroft Volunteer Fire Departments, was a board member for the Pender Community Hospital, Commander of the Bancroft American Legion, and an officer for Farm Bureau. Left to cherish Larry’s memory are his wife of 64 years, Nona; children, Ned Kjeldgaard of Lincoln, NE, Mary Barry of Omaha, NE, Ben (Wendy) Kjeldgaard of Maple Falls, WA, Linda (Ivan) Ketter of Topeka, KS, Joe (Lesa) Kjeldgaard of Lincoln, NE, Angie Kjeldgaard of Bellevue, NE, Chris (Dawn) Kjeldgaard of Lincoln, NE; 10 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce (Jerry) Scheibler of Arvada, CO and Elaine Christiansen of Pender, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Donna Henkel; brother, Br. Francis Kjeldgaard.