Michael Clarence Klein

1952 - 2020

LINCOLN - Michael Clarence Klein, 68, of Holdrege passed away on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, at the Bryan Medical Center East in Lincoln.
Memorial Mass will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday at All Saints Catholic Church in Holdrege with Father Thomas Lux officiating.
Following the Mass, a private family inurnment will be held at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.
Current CDC and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for faith-based services and gatherings will be followed. Michael's service will be livestreamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home Facebook page.
Memorial book signing will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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Michael was born July 16, 1952, at Kearney 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 Aug. 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 TeamMates 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 longtime 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.
Survivors include 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; Vickie's four children: Eric Lawrence and his wife Karyn of Omaha, Joe Lawrence and his wife Liz of Columbus, Kyle Lawrence and his wife Abbey of Broken Bow, 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 and Lauri Bosco and her husband John of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; along with other relatives and friends.
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.
Visit www.nelsonbauerfh.com to leave condolences online.