Kathryn "Kay" Rowena (Malcolm) Clesson

Kathryn Rowena (Malcolm) Clesson

March 15, 1919 - Jan. 6, 2018

Kathryn “Kay” Rowena (Malcolm) Clesson passed away Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook. She was 98 years old.

Kay was born on March 15, 1919, to Theron W. and Virginia “Virgie” (Ethridge) Malcolm at Naponee, Nebraska. Her family moved to McCook in 1926. She graduated from McCook High School in 1937.

She attended beauty school in Hastings and worked for a beauty shop in Oxford and McCook.

On June 30, 1940, Kathryn married Gilbert Clesson in McCook. To this union two children were born, John Malcolm and Constance Rae. They lived in Fort Collins, Colorado due to Gib’s job working on airplanes during World War II. They eventually moved back to McCook.

She was a member of the Memorial United Methodist Church for 75 years and United Methodist Women’s Club. She was also a member of the McCook Art Guild, McCook Extension Club, and American Woodcarvers.

Her students that she taught art to for many years always gave her praises for her instruction she gave them. She received many awards for her artwork.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theron and Virgie Malcolm; her husband, Gilbert Clesson; brothers, Edward Malcolm and his wife, Mid, and Ivan Malcolm and wife, Bernie; sister, Constance Chrisman and husband, Melvin; sisters-in-law, Jackie Malcolm, Justine Malcolm, Esther Jones, Opal Day; daughter-in-law, Merelyn Clesson and step-son, Wade Shockley.

Kay is survived by one son, John Malcolm Clesson of McCook; daughter, Constance “Connie” Rae and husband, Harold “Bud” Kleckner of McCook; daughter-in-law, Kim Shockley of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Casandra K. Markland of Sacramento, CA, John J. Kleckner (Chris) of Eden Prairie, MN, Daniel D. Kleckner (Berdena) of McCook, Khila Rae Stacey (Mike) of Arvada, CO; great-grandchildren, Alicia D. Watson, Natasha Klentz, Seraphine Stacey, Tristen and Conner Kleckner, Jacob and Forest Kleckner; step-grandchildren, Drew, Matt, and Alli Oberlander; and great-great-grandchildren, Jackson and Dylan Klentz.

Memorials may be given in her name.

Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel.

Funeral service will be Thursday, January 11, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel with Pastor Alisa Parde officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.