January 1 1930 September 30 2022
John D. Jelken, 92, of Franklin, formerly of rural Hildreth passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022 at CHI Health – Good Samaritan in Kearney, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church in Macon with Rev. Marcia Dorn officiating. Interment will be held following services at 2:00 p.m. at the Wilcox Cemetery with military honors presented by the Hildreth Veterans of Foreign Wars in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Craig Funeral Home – Jelden Chapel in Hildreth. Memorials in John’s honor are kindly suggested to Zion Lutheran Church in Macon. Arrangements are under the care of Craig Funeral Home in Minden. John was born at home in Franklin County to Fred and Pearl (Equall) Jelken on January 1, 1930. He grew up in the Ash Grove community, attending country school and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He graduated from Wilcox High School in 1947. He farmed with his father. After serving in the army in France during the Korean Conflict, he came home again to the farm. This was his lifelong passion, first with his father and then with his son. John married Eleanor Jeannette Albers on February 26, 1950 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hildreth, NE. They had two children: Gene and Brenda. He enjoyed working cattle and harvesting with neighbors. He also enjoyed music and played his violin with friends in a group called Sons of the Soil. In later years, he would play with others who would ask him. He also served in various roles in his community and church. Eleanor, the love of his life, died on January 1, 2019. At that time John moved to Arbor Care in Franklin. He is survived by his son Gene Jelken and daughter Brenda Reiss and her husband, Dennis; grandson Michael Jelken, granddaughter Christina and her husband Steven Platt, granddaughter Sheena and Adam Henke. He was blessed with four great-grandchildren, Heath, Jase, Avery and Lily. Tributes and memories can be shared with the family at www.craigfunerals.com.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John D Jelken January 1 1930 September 30 2022.
Death notice for the town of: Hildreth, state: Nebraska