Harlan Kratke

Click here to view video tribute.   Harlan C. M. Kratke, 84, of Pender, Nebraska died on Monday, June 25, 2007 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, Nebraska. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 28, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pender, with the Rev. Richard Pingel officiating. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Munderloh Funeral Home in Pender, with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Interment will be in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. Harlan was born on April 26, 1923 on the family farm South of Pender, Nebraska, the son of Carl and Lizzie (Brehmer) Kratke. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church near Pender. He married Bernice Test on October 21, 1945 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, near Wakefield, Ne by Pastor Schulz. Together, they farmed until retiring and moving into Pender in 1982. Harlan then worked at Pender Grain and K & B Lumber in Pender. He was a 4-H leader for 20 years, served on the St. John’s Cemetery Board since the early 1970’s. He also served on the District 82 School Board and the District 57 School Board, the St. John’s Church Council, and was a member of the Luther Layman’s League. Harlan loved crossword puzzles, dogs, visiting with friends, attending the County Fair, decorating for Christmas, mowing and helping fix screens and windows for people, and listening to polka music and dancing. Most of all, he loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Harlan is survived by two sons: Duane and his wife Burdette; and Denis and his wife Lynn, all of Pender, Ne, two daughters Debra of Vail, Co; and Donna Kratke of South Sioux City, Ne, son-in-law Leroy Schuetze and his wife Joan of West Point, Ne as well as 11 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, sisters Hilda Meyer, and Betty Simonsen of Pender, sister-in-law Marjorie Kratke also of Pender. Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bernice, daughter Diane, great granddaughter Alaina Voss, brothers Wilber Kratke, Deloy Kratke, brothers-in-law Eugene Simonsen and Glenville Meyer, sister-in-law, Mrs. Wilber Kratke, and an infant sister Georgiana.