FARNAM - Clyde Philetus Kotschwar, 84, of Farnam, passed away Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at Gothenburg Memorial Hospital.

Clyde Philetus was born on April 27, 1924, to William and Viola White Kotschwar southwest of Maywood. He was the second of 13 children. Clyde's father died when he was only 16 years old, so Clyde had to work to help support the family.

Clyde married Doris Vickers on April 27, 1948. To this union four children were born: Rex, Kathaleen, Sheryl and Dennis.

Clyde and his brother Leon were partners in a trucking business in their early years. He continued trucking and farming throughout his entire working days. Clyde loved farming and his cattle. He could fix most anything with his pliers and a chunk of baling wire.

Clyde enjoyed playing baseball in his younger days and also umpired baseball games. On his 80th birthday Clyde was able to attend a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. He was a board member of the Farnam Senior Center. Clyde had many friends, which he valued very much.

Clyde is survived by his two sons, Rex Kotschwar of Cozad and Dennis Kotschwar of Farnam; two daughters, Sheryl (Steve) Brown of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Kathaleen (Lonnie) McClellen of Ingham; three brothers, Leon (Muriel) Kotschwar of Farnam, Anton Kotschwar of Moorefield, and Glen (Vickie) Kotschwar of Chadron; five sisters, Gladys (Orville) Thrasher of San Bernardino, Calif., Bettye Cross of Prineville, Ore., Alice Fickenscher of Surprise, Ariz., Mabel Conklin of Sterling, Ill., and Jean (Ivan) Henderson of Lexington; brother-in-law, Tom Vickers; daughter-in-law, Rosemary Kotschwar; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clyde is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Viola and Maxine, and two brothers, Stanley and Robert.

Memorials may be directed to the Farnam Senior Center. Online condolences may be given to the family at www.blasestrauser.com.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at the First Baptist Church in Gothenburg with Pastors Bill Ivey and Larry Viter officiating. Burial will be in the Farnam Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, with the family present from 1 to 3 p.m. at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Gothenburg.

North Platte Telegraph, 8 February 2009.