Leland "Pete" J. Tripe

Mass of Christian Burial Service for Leland J. "Pete" Tripe will be conducted from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Fathers Harlan Waskowiak 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 with military honors provided by the Harold Morin American Legion Post #184.

Leland Joseph "Pete" Tripe, 90 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of Orleans) passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at Holdrege Memorial Homes. Pete was born March 19, 1918 at Stamford, Nebraska, the youngest of two sons born to Nicholas Phillip and Sarah Marie (King) Tripe. Pete grew up on the family farm northwest of Orleans and received his primary education from St. Mary's Catholic School in Orleans. He then graduated from Orleans High School with the class of 1935. Pete was then employed by the Orleans CO-OP and Creamery.

On June 27, 1941 he was united in marriage to Clela L. Stearns and to this union four children were born: Jerry, James, Philip and Ronald. Pete was inducted into the United States Army Air Force and served his country during WW II from February 11, 1942 until his honorable discharge on September 28, 1945. While in the service, Pete worked as an Airplane Mechanic in Northern France, Rhineland, and the Ardennes and in Central Europe. After his service, Pete was employed by Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas from 1945 – 1951.

Pete then engaged in farming on the family farm northwest of Orleans from 1951 until 1965. In 1965, he was employed for eighteen years as the Custodian for the Orleans Public School until his retirement in 1983. In 1999, Pete and Clela moved to Holdrege and attended All Saints Catholic Church. Pete loved being around people, especially the time spent with his family and friends.

He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, member of the Harold Morin American Legion Post #184 in Orleans, enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards and was an avid sports fan.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Clela of Holdrege; 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; daughter-in-law, Karla Balthazor and her husband, Greg of Stockton, Kansas; thirteen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jerome "Jerry" Tripe in 1973 and brother, Lawrence Tripe and his wife, Rose.

Pete will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

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.