Former Clay Center resident Elbert “Bert” James VonSpreckelsen, 98, passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at the Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home in Kearney.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, at the Clay Center Christian Church, with Pastor Arick Johanson officiating. Interment will follow at the Clay Center Cemetery with military honors by the Clay Center American Legion Mills-Schroder Post #87 and the Nebraska Army Honor Guard. Visitation with the family present will be Thursday, from 4-6 p.m., at McLaughlin Funeral Chapel in Clay Center. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later. Condolences may be left at www. mclaughlinchapel.com.

Elbert “Bert” James Von Spreckelsen was born July 20, 1927, in Clay Center to Ernest and Bertha (Hoyt) Von Spreckelsen. Bert graduated from Clay Center High School. He served in the Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1952. Upon his return, he married Dorothy “Dot” Kluver on Nov. 9, 1952, in Fairfield. He and Dot were married for 68 years and farmed together in the Clay Center area. Four children were born from this union.

Bert enthusiastically supported young adults in their educational endeavors. He and Dot traveled the world, including trips to South America, Europe, China, and Africa. He demonstrated his faith with mission trips to the Philippines and Laos. He enjoyed the challenge of restoring antique cars. If he was unable to locate a part, he would make one. His desire to leave this country better than he found it was demonstrated by his passion for farming and conservation. He was a man of quiet strength and a role model for many.

Bert served on several boards including Inland Co-Op, Clay Center Co-Op and Aurora Co-Op.

He was an elected member of the Clay Center Public School Board for twenty-two years. He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Hastings and a past member of the Clay Center Christian Church. Bert was also a member of the American Legion Post 87.

He is survived by daughter, Irene (fiancé Kevin McMurry) Von Spreckelsen of Lincoln and her children, Mary (Doug) Pellatz, and Ann Kemper; LeAnn (LaVerne) Cooksley of Worthington, IA and their children, Matt and Sarah Cooksley; and their children, Leland and Harlynn; and Cliff and Kelly Schanbeck and their children, Alex, Jared, Ryan and Jase; daughter, Holly (Jeff) Christensen of Dannebrog, and their children, Joshua and Supra Parthasarathy Christensen and Jacob Christensen and fiancé Mikayla Olson. He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Livgren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Bertha; wife, Dorothy; brother, Robert and an infant son, Roger Von Spreckelsen.