Christian Biography of Virgil "Kelly" Glen Schleif

Virgil "Kelly" Glen Schleif, a lifelong resident of Nelson, Nebraska died February 20, 2019 at the age of 92 years, 8 months, 3 days. He went to be with the Lord peacefully, while he was sleeping at his place of residence for the past 5 years, the Havelock Manor in Lincoln, Nebraska.

He was born June 17, 1926 in rural Nelson at the family farmstead. He was the third of four children born to Eric and Minnie (Schiermeyer) Schleif. On June 10, 1954 he married the love of his life, Betty Jo Peery.

Kelly attended Abdal School through 8 ^th grade. Although he liked school, he was needed to help out on the family farm, thus ending his formal education. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. He received an honorable discharge and returned home to Nelson where he drove a truck for Kowger Industries as well as helped his brother, Francis, with Francis' electrical business. Following that, he worked for the city of Nelson for 35 years as the Superintendent of Utilities. After retirement he worked part-time at the city compactor until his health forced him to retire for the second time. Throughout his life, Kelly was actively involved in youth activities. If you needed an umpire for a baseball game, needed the field dragged beforehand, or the lights fixed, he was your man! He never said no. He was never too busy.

He was a 50-year member of the Volunteer Fire Department, 20-year member of the EMT department, 22-gallon blood donor and always a willing volunteer, which in a small town kept him quite busy. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and all things involving his grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents Eric and Minnie Schleif, his wife Betty, infant daughter, Connie Lucille; brothers, Francis Schleif and Wilford Schleif, and a sister Ruby Allgayer.

Kelly is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Patty and Corey Carlson of rural Lincoln, NE; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Kristi Schleif of Osceola, NE; grandchildren, Kate and Travis Panning of Wilber, NE; Kristie Seybert, Kylie Carlson, Justin Carlson and Danielle McNally, and Dan and Kayleigh Carlson all of Lincoln, NE; Kaitlyn and Evan Buss of Hebron, NE; Laurin Schleif and Christian Schleif, both of Osceola, NE; 10 great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosie Schleif of Vancouver, WA; brother-in-law, Lou Allgayer of Elmwood, NE; other relatives and a host of friends.

Services at: Nelson Community United Church of Christ, Nelson, Nebraska

Time of Service: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 1:00 pm

Clergy: Pastor Ivan & Joyce Dean

Eulogy: Travis Panning

Burial with Military Honors: Nelson Cemetery, Nelson, Nebraska

Memorials to: has been established and may be given in care of the family

Visitation: From 4:00 pm-8:00 pm on Sunday with family present from 6-8 at the Klawitter-Price Funeral Home

Funeral Home: Klawitter-Price Funeral Home, 446 South Main St., Nelson, Nebraska 68961 Phone 402-225-3301