Jack Cline

Jack K. Cline (Grandpa Jack) 87 years old of Franklin, Nebraska peacefully passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at The Franklin Care & Rehabilitation Center with family at his side.

Jack was the third of nine children born to Wilbur and Lela (Kugler) Cline, north of Riverton, Nebraska, October 14, 1930. Later they moved south of Riverton where he attended rural school through eighth grade and then graduated from Riverton High School in 1948. Jack grew up in the Dirty Thirties and witnessed the hardships of the times. He was baptized in the Pleasant Hill Church in Kansas. The Riverton UCC was his family’s church home.

Jack farmed from 1948 until 1952. He was inducted on March 18, 1952 in the United States Army and his machinery was sold. While home on furlough at a small ceremony in Red Cloud Nebraska, he was married to Ruth Ann Sibert on December 7, 1952. This union was blessed with three children, Douglas Joe, Linda Rae, and Lorie Lea.

A veteran of the Korean War, he served from 1952 until his discharge on February 27, 1954. Jack served as an A&E mechanic where he found his first love of airplanes. He was promoted to Sergeant CT in December of 1953, and was involved in combat duty with the artillery unit, receiving the Bronze Service Star, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

Following his discharge and living in Red Cloud, he began to work for the Corps of Engineers. During that time he helped build Harlan County Dam. Shortly thereafter they bought the A.T. Ready place and returned to farming. They lived at this residence for 25 years; during that time they grew different crops. They also raised cattle, horses, pigs, chickens and other livestock. Through the Nebraska Crop Improvement he started the seed business by growing Atlas Sargo. He had his seed business on the farm for many years growing, processing, and selling wholesale and resale.  They later moved the business to downtown Franklin and then constructed a new building two miles north of town known as Cline Seed & Farm Supply Inc. They sold seed, feed, buildings, bins, hardware and other inventory. He expanded the business by exporting seed to Mexico for many years.

Jack belonged to several organizations including; Nebraska Crop Improvement, Western Seed Association, the Franklin Fair Board, the Macon Lions, and the American Legion just to name a few.

He was never one to sit in the house but could always be found out doing something.  Often seen on his nightly drives checking crops, grass, cattle and wildlife.  Jack loved to hunt and fish and he loved the outdoors. His pond was his pride and joy and he spent many hours through the years fishing with Grandad Bill, Lloyd, his children, grandchildren, and many, many  others.  Wonderful memories were made there.  He had a love for planes and loved to fly. He had his pilot’s license and his own airplane up until just a few years ago.  Throughout life he pursued many business ventures, including Plainview Ostrich Ranch, where he raised ostrich and emu in large numbers; and even at one time raised pheasants. He was always up to try something new.

His greatest love and enthusiasm in life was for wife, Ruth, his kids, his grandkids, great grand kids, and a host of others who call him Grandpa Jack.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Ruth, of Franklin; son, Doug (Denise) Cline of Riverton; daughter, Linda Olsen of Minden; daughter, Lorie Cline of Campbell; 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; brother Wyvern (Mary) Cline; sisters, Colleene Minnick, Carolyn Cline, Lois (Don) Shannon, Sharol Lawhead, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dwane, Delwyn, and Gail; grandson Marshall Cline, and granddaughter Amanda Wendell.

​Services were Thursday, 10:30 a.m., March 22, 2018 at the Evangelical Free Church in Franklin with Rev. Bill Stearns and Rev. Nancy Cole officiating. Interment with military honors was at the Riverton Cemetery.  

​Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Hospital.

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Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, NE   68970

402-746-2500
​williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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