Clela Lucille Tripe

Mass of Christian Burial Service for Clela L. Tripe will be conducted from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Fathers Jamie Hottovy and Thomas Lux, officiating. Rosary will be held at the church at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. Interment will be held in the Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery at Orleans.

Clela Lucille Tripe, 92 years of age, of Meeker, Colorado (formerly of Holdrege and Orleans) passed away on Friday, November 11, 2011 at the Pioneers Medical Center in Meeker. Clela was born July 9, 1919 at Carson, Iowa, the eighth of ten children born to Herbert and Ella (Martin) Stearns. Clela grew up on the family farm in Furnas County near Hendley, Nebraska. She received her primary education from rural schools in Furnas County and then graduated from Hendley High School with the class of 1936. In 1936, Clela began to take training to become a Beautician.

On June 27, 1941 she was united in marriage to Leland Joseph "Pete" Tripe and to this union four children were born: Jerry, James, Philip and Ronald. The family made their home on the family farm northwest of Orleans. In 1941, Clela opened her own beauty salon, Tripe Salon in Orleans, which she operated until her retirement in 1990. She enjoyed many friendship bonds that were formed in her 46 year career.

In 1999, Pete and Clela moved to Holdrege and attended All Saints Catholic Church. Clela and Pete loved being around people, especially the time spent with their family and friends. She was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, where she was active with the Altar Society. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Orleans Civic Club and various card clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pete on April 26, 2008.

She leaves to mourn her passing; her three sons: James C. "Jim" Tripe and his wife, Joannie of Meeker, Colorado, Philip A. "Phil" Tripe and his wife, Jan of Kearney, Nebraska, Ronald K. "Ron" Tripe and his wife, Connie of Ojai, California; two daughters-in-law: Karla Balthazor and her husband, Greg of Stockton, Kansas and Dixie Tripe of Hastings, Nebraska; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Lula Stearns and her husband, Bob of Denver, Colorado and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides her parents and husband, Pete, she was preceded in death by one son, Jerome "Jerry" Tripe in 1973; four brothers: Albert, Harold and his wife, Dorothy, Earl and Herbert Stearns and his wife, Joyce; three sisters: Dora Loennig and her husband, Clarence, Daisy Tylkowski and her husband, Laddy and Arlene Kroman and her husband, Peter; and brother-in-law, Lawrence Tripe and his wife, Rose.

Clela will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in her memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege and Orleans is in charge of the arrangements.