Henry F. Klee

Henry Klee, 86, of Endicott, NE, passed away January 9, 2022 in Fairbury. By Henry: Henry Fredrick Klee was born September 1, 1935, son of William Frederick Klee and Fannie Isabelle Wallace in Barnes, Kansas. He had four older sisters, Anna Marie (Timothy) Gilliam, Greenleaf, Kansas (deceased); Nancy Jane (Harry) McArney, Manhattan (deceased); Doris Evelyn Klee, Manhattan, Kansas; and Mary Lee (Gene) Scott (deceased), Starkville, Mississippi. Henry attended Jordan District 6 country school, for eight years; then Barnes High School for four years, graduating in 1953. In 1955, Henry joined the Navy. Within a year, they kicked him out on a medical discharge. They didn’t like that he couldn’t get over sea sickness. He batted around on bridge crew construction for several years. After his upbringing, it was quite an education. While on construction, he met Linda Kay Ward. They were married November 28, 1960. Later, they farmed his father’s land. In 1968, Henry and Linda purchased land in Nebraska and moved there. In 1987, Henry and Linda’s marriage came to a screeching halt. Because Henry was so obnoxious, it didn’t work out. Linda had a drinking problem called Henry. In 2001, March 3 ^rd , Henry and Eva Lee Grace joined forces. She was a good housekeeper, cook, and partner. Sometimes the relationship was stormy; sometimes Henry got an advice overload, especially about his driving. They had a deal – the housework was split 50/50. Eva did the cooking, dishes, laundry, floors, other housework, mowed the lawn, took care of the garden – and Henry did the other half. Henry was stubborn, obnoxious, cantankerous, bullheaded and enjoyed every minute of being so. Henry liked people, enjoyed visiting friends, playing cards, ramming around, seeing or doing something different. He was even known once in a while to tell a tall tale. Being uprighteous and leading a religious life didn’t appeal to him. It would of crimped his style.

And now, from the kids: Henry and Linda had four wonderful children:  William Timothy (Lisa), Blue Springs, Nebraska; Gregory Scott (Cindy), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mary Jo (Robert) Wheeler, Clinton, Missouri; and Carrie Klee (deceased). His grandchildren were Amee, Kelee, Jamee, Leslie, Emmalyn, Michael, Kathryn, Christopher, and Nicholas. Henry will be missed by all of us. We will especially miss his sense of humor, jokes, and endless stories.

By Bill: Henry Klee was my father. There are quite a few things I could say about him, but I will keep it short. The day I left home to join the Air Force, he said, “This is the point where a father is supposed give his son words of wisdom, but I can’t think of any.” As of a year or so ago, he still hadn’t found those words. On the other hand, he showed me quite a bit of wisdom by example, even if the exact words might have escaped him. Father was cantankerous, argumentative and enjoyed few things more than winding people up. He enjoyed a good debate / argument, as long as you could back yourself up.

By Gregory: Henry Klee may not have been the best father in the world but he was my father. He made lots of mistakes and wasn't always the best example but he did manage to teach right and wrong and good work ethics to his children. During his life he told quite a few tales and did a lot of things just because he wanted to find out what would happen or he was just bored. He was never one to follow the path of other people and be what was considered normal. Overall, he will be missed.

Commentary, by Mary: Henry Fredrick Klee was a great father. He was always ready to stop what he was doing to explain how something ran, usually by drawing a picture. He was the one that taught me how to catch birds and let them loose in the house. He was the one that taught me how to hotwire a car. He was the one that helped me build a homemade unicycle, then tried to teach me how to ride it. He was always there to support me, even when he didn’t agree with me; then was there to help me when I found out he was probably right. He never was one to say, “I told you so.” I will miss hearing all his stories of growing up and his philosophies of life.

Services will be Monday, January 17, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Steele City Presbyterian Church – Steele, City.  The family will greet friends Sunday from 2 – 4 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Memorials will go to the ALS Association. Burial in the Steele City Cemetery. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com