Obituary of Howard Lee Clabaugh

Lee Clabaugh passed away on November 11, 2015 in Overland Park, KS, at Garden Terrace of Overland Park, KS. Lee was born in Ruskin, NE on 9-19-1923. After his father died, his family moved and he became a lifelong resident of Nelson, Nebraska.

Lee was the son of Ira Drain Clabaugh and Ethel Dillman Clabaugh and the youngest of 3 children. His father became wheelchair bound after a car accident when Lee was 3, and his siblings were 5 and 7. His mother took in laundry to make ends meet and care for her family. Lee's father died 2 years later. He graduated from Nelson High School. Lee proudly served in the U.S. Navy during WW II. He came back to Nelson, attended the University of Nebraska for a short time, and was invited back to Nelson for a job at the Commercial Bank. He met his future wife Charlotte when she was working a summer job behind the soda fountain at the drug store. As he advanced at the bank, he attended the Wisconsin School of Banking in his early career. He went from working as a janitor at the Commercial Bank while he was in high school, to owning the bank in 1968.

He married Charlotte Kelly on September 5, 1948 in her mother's home. They had 3 children, and were members of the Nelson United Methodist Church, and later the Nelson Community United Church of Christ when 3 area churches merged.

Lee continued his banking career for 65 years, going to work every day, retiring at age 88.

Lee served in many ways in the Nelson community. He and Charlotte and many others worked hard to build the local golf course, putting in many hours of volunteer labor. He was also a leader in getting the community swimming pool built. He served on the board of the Brodstone Memorial Hospital, and the Nelson school board. Lee was a member of the VFW, American Legion Post 187, the Kiwanis Club, the Masonic lodge, The Nebraska Bankers Association, and the Nebraska Independent Community Bankers Association. They were strong Republicans who worked actively in local politics. He received the Aksarben Family Farm Award for 100 years of family farming.

Lee enjoyed golfing with friends and was a great Cornhusker fan, watching football, basketball, and volleyball. He was an avid hunter, and the men in the family spent many hours in the fields pheasant hunting. A record of the hunt was written on the rafters of his basement each year, where they gathered to clean the game and swap the stories.

He was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte, who died on December 21st, 2002. Also in death before him were his father and mother, Ira and Ethel Clabaugh, his brother Ira Clabaugh, and his sister Lois Ruttman.

Survivors include his children Steve Clabaugh(Jodene) of Nelson NE, Janet Podoll(Jack) of Lenexa, KS, and David Clabaugh(Lisa) of Beatrice, NE; Grandchildren Todd Clabaugh(Wendy) of Elm Creek, NE, Travis Clabaugh(Missy) of Sioux Center, IA, Eric Podoll of Overland Park, KS, and Angela Podoll of Kansas City, MO, step-grandson Eric Bean (Beth) of Yutan, NE, and six great-grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

Many thanks to the kind and competent staff at Garden Terrace of Overland Park, KS, who cared for Lee in his last year of life.

Memorial Service was held on Monday, November 23, 2015 at 10:30 AM at the Nelson Community United Church of Christ, with Rev. Dr. Stephen Berry officiating.

Music was "On Eagle's Wings," and "We Celebrate Your Life," provided by Stephanie Thayer and Carlita Price.

Honorary Pallbearers were Todd Clabaugh, Travis Clabaugh, Gage Clabaugh, Eric Bean, Eric Podoll and Andrew Arbogast.

Inurnment with Military Honors was in the Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nebraska.

Donations suggested to the Nelson Library Fund or the Nelson Community United Church of Christ.


Klawitter-Price Funeral Home of Nelson, Nebraska was in charge of the arrangements.