Clovis "Kelly" Lupher

Clovis "Kelly" Allen Lupher, 89, of Greenleaf, KS, died Monday, May 4, 2009 at Cambridge Place in Marysville. A funeral service was held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 8 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, south of Barnes, KS. The Rev. Rodney Fritz officiated. Kathie Otney played the organ while grandson, Trenton Tiemeyer, sang “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace”. The congregation sang “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “Blessed Assurance” and “Old Rugged Cross”. The pallbearers were Rick Adams, Doug Lupher, Todd Cairns, Josh Lupher, Hubert Tiemeyer and Kelsey Osborne. The honorary pallbearers were Rodney Adams, Ronald Adams, Jon Cairns, Michael Cairns, Trenton Tiemeyer, Ryan Tiemeyer and Cody Osborne. Burial was in the Greenleaf City Cemetery. Kelly was born October 22, 1919, at Greenleaf, the son of Lake and Myrtle (McTaggert) Lupher. He grew up around the Greenleaf area and joined the Civilian Conservation Corp when he was 16. He was united in marriage to Irma Vathauer on February 6, 1939 at Junction City, and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Kelly was a lifelong farmer and worked for the Union Pacific Railroad for about 20 years. He also worked construction for several years. In his later years he worked for Twin Valley in Greenleaf. Kelly was an avid baseball fan and loved to fish. He enjoyed the family gathering and being with his children and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lake Jr. and Delmar; one sister, Elsie; and granddaughter, Kelli Lynn Cairns. He is survived by his wife Irma; ten children, Karen Adams and husband Richard of Salina,KS, Gale Lupher and wife Doris of Greenleaf, Myrna Cairns and husband Stanley of Greenleaf, Linda Merrill and husband Martin of Waterville, KS, Vicki Rempe and husband Dan of Lincoln, NE, Fred Lupher and wife Linda of Lincoln, NE, Debbie Tiemeyer and husband Kenny of Columbus, NE, Rhonda Mueller and husband Stan of Linn, KS, Tony Lupher of Vacaville, CA, and Shelli Osborne and husband Jim of Blue Rapids, KS; twenty-one grandchildren; and thirty-two great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established to the Meadowlark Hospice and contributions may be sent in care of the funeral home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clovis "Kelly" Lupher, please visit our flower store.