In Memory of Clarence Krafka

Clarence Krafka, age 89, of rural Bellwood, Nebraska died Sunday, September 2, 2007 at the David Place in David City.  Funeral Services are 10:00 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2007 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Bellwood. The Rev. Scott Courtney will officiate. Visitation is Wednesday after 5:00 p.m. at the church. There will be a 7:30 p.m. vigil service on Wednesday also at the church. Visitation will continue Thursday morning 9:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be in the Presentation/St. Peters Cemetery in rural Bellwood.

Clarence Albert Krafka was born May 23, 1918 on a farm near Valpraiso, Nebraska to Anton and Edna (Johnson) Krafka. He was baptized August 23, 1918. Clarence attended Oakridge School District #81 near Valpraiso. Upon completing the 8th grade, he stayed home to help on the family farm. In 1941, when he was 23, Clarence traveled to California to visit his brother who was in the military. In California he worked for a short time for GE, then returned to Nebraska. In 1943 he met Ruth Meister at a social and dance in Appleton, Nebraska where she taught school. They were married on May 16, 1944 in Bellwood at St. Peters Church. Clarence and Ruth made their first home on a farm outside Valpraiso. In 1947 they moved to a farm east of Bellwood where they farmed and operated a trucking business until his retirement in 1985. In May of 1994 Clarence and Ruth celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends. Beginning in 1981 Clarence and Ruth began to travel to Phoenix, Arizona during the winter, eventually establishing a second home in Scottsdale, Arizona. Clarence enjoyed the time he spent in Arizona, continuing to travel on a regular basis until he suffered a stroke. After his stroke, Clarence resided at the David Place Retirement Home in David City. He continued to make frequent trips to the farm in Bellwood. Clarence was a member of Presentation Parish (Marietta) and St. Peters Church in Bellwood.

He is survived by:

Wife Ruth Krafka Bellwood, NE
Son Ken (Mae) Krafka Bellwood, NE
Daughter Shirley Scholz Bellwood, NE
Son Dave Krafka Grand Island, NE
Son John Krafka Bellwood, NE
Son Marty (Lanell) Krafka Omaha, NE
Son Dan (Tarita) Krafka Bellwood, NE
Daughter Teresa (Jim) Poindexter Prescott, AZ

Daughter-in-law Pam Krafka Bellwood, NE
Sister Dorothy Zimmerman Lincoln, NE
Brother Ron Krafka Houston, TX
Sister Grayce Olsen Lincoln, NE
20- Grandchildren 9-Great Grandchildren

He was preceded in death by:

Father Anton Krafka
Mother Edna Krafka
Infant Daughter Clarene Krafka
Infant Son Lloyd Krafka
Son Steve Krafka
Brother Anton F. Krafka
Brother Elmer Krafka