POET MINNIE KLEMME DIES

By Shannon Henson, World-Herald Staffwriter

Nebraska poet Minnie Klemme died Friday of congestive heart failure at age 89.

Her poems were published in two books, as well as Ideals and Nebraska Farmer magazines. In 1981, she was named best-loved poet by Ideals, said her brother, Herb Klemme.

Minnie Klemme’s inspiration came from a verse she heard in elementary school: “Come little leaves, said the wind one day. Come over the meadow with me to play.”

Klemme’s poems often had nature or religious themes. “If it didn’t rhyme, it wasn’t a poem to her,” Herb Klemme said.

Klemme was raised in Murdock, speaking German in her home.

She learned English as a girl and became valedictorian of her high school class in 1931. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University on a scholarship, but returned to Murdock when her father became ill with cancer.

Klemme’s life was devoted to writing and caring for her family, Herb Klemme said.

Her last poem was published three weeks before her death, about 70 years after she was first published in Nebraska Farmer.

Klemme’s funeral was to be held Monday at Murdock’s United Methodist Church where she was a member for 75 years.

From Omaha World Herald

KLEMME - - Minnie D., age 89 (11/23/01), well known Nebraska writer and poet of Murdock, NE.

Preceded in death by father and mother, Henry and Henrietta Klemme; sister, Amanda Klemme; brother, Henry Klemme. Survived by brother, Herbert Klemme; sister-in-law, Sylvia Klemme and families of niece, Kathy and Dean Ellermeier, Craig and Jeremy; nephew Steve and Betsy Klemme, Rachel and Kyle.

SERVICES Mon. 2 pm at the United Methodist Church, Murdock. VISITATION Sun. Noon to 9 pm with family greeting friends from 7-8 pm, Mon. 9-11 am all at the Funeral Home. Memorials suggested to either the Church or Callahan Cemetery.

Fusselman-Wymore-Marshall Funeral Home, Elmwood, NE 402-994-6575