Clarence Beutler, Jr.

Clarence Kindschuh Beutler, Jr., 92, of Pender, NE, passed on to his heavenly home on Saturday, September 5, 2026, surrounded by his family at Wakefield Health Care in Wakefield, NE.

Funeral services are currently pending with Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.

Clarence was born on November 14, 1933, to Clarence Emil Beutler, Sr. and Gertrude (Kindschuh) Beutler on the family farm northwest of Bancroft. Note that Clarence’s middle name is the same as his mother’s maiden name, a common custom according to Gertrude. On December 10, 1933, Clarence was baptized. His sponsors were his uncle, Raymond Beutler, his uncle, Johnny Kindschuh, and his aunt, Minnie Kindschuh. Clarence was the first baby baptized by Rev. W. E. Homann at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bancroft, Nebraska, where Clarence would become a lifetime member. He was confirmed at St Paul’s on June 1, 1947, and later as an adult, served as an elder. Clarence grew up working on the farm, raising and riding registered quarter horses and showing registered Hampshire hogs in fairs and at Aksarben. It was at Aksarben that he won Grand Champion Hampshire, for which his name was engraved on a brick. Clarence entered first grade at Bancroft Public School at the age of 5 bypassing kindergarten. In high school, he was on the football and boxing teams, weighing 104 pounds. His nickname in high school was Dynamite. Clarence also played a character named Wyatt Bashful in a school play called “Aunt Polly from Peru”. He graduated high school in 1950 at the age of 16 and farmed and raised cattle, pigs, and chickens.

He married Norma Jean Peterson on February 27, 1953. To this union, 4 children were born: Barbara, Patricia, Michael and Christopher. Clarence enlisted in the army, serving from 1955-1956, and then went into the reserves until January, 1963. Clarence and Norma and their daughter, Barbara, were stationed in Hawaii. Clarence told many stories of their time in Hawaii. One of his many training exercises was to lie on the ground while the tank rolled above him and he would have to crawl up the bottom hatch. Clarence recalled his mom sent a weekly letter with a $10 bill enclosed throughout their enlisted time. After he enlisted in the army, Clarence became a farmer and raised cattle, pigs, horses, and chickens. Later he went to work at Pender Sales Co., a satellite of the Union Stockyards or Omaha Stockyards. In 1966, he took over as manager and in 1969 purchased the business, naming it Pender Livestock Inc. During the first five years of business, it was common to run 700-800 cattle through the ring on sale days. The cattle that moved through Pender Livestock in 1993 numbered close to 40,000 head. Annual horse sales were a big draw with a packed arena of onlookers and buyers. Pender Livestock was a family business with his sons, Michael and Chris, helping to run the business as well as his wife, Norma, running the cafe and his daughters, Barb and Patty, helping in either the office or cafe. In 1990, Clarence purchased the Wahoo Livestock Auction and in 2015 sold the business.

Norma passed on to heaven on March 29, 1995. On October 5, 1996, Clarence married Joan (Bettenhausen) O’Mara. Joan worked alongside Clarence and operated the sale barn cafe. Joan went to her heavenly home on March 29, 2017. Clarence set the example for his family of a strong, honest work ethic. He continued to work at the sale barn and do the bookkeeping through his 90th birthday. Upon his retirement, he turned the business over to his eldest son, Mike. Both of the sons, Mike and Chris, have followed in their dad’s footsteps in the cattle business. His integrity was demonstrated one day by his grandson when Grandpa was trying to balance the books from the previous day’s sale. Clarence found the error that he had underpaid a customer 45 cents, whereupon Clarence reached into the desk drawer, pulled out the exact change, put it in an envelope with a handwritten note of apology, and then later mailed the envelope to the customer.

Clarence moved to Prairie Breeze Assisted Living in January 2024 and adapted well to his new home. He enjoyed the Bingo and camaraderie. In June 2025, Clarence moved to Wakefield Care Center, where Bingo was again a weekly highlight. When faced with a decision on whether to have surgery at 91 years old, Clarence opted out of the surgery, saying, “I have had a good life with 2 successful marriages and a successful business.” He was a quiet man with a gentle and sentimental nature. Clarence taught his children not to be wasteful, and he often said at the end of a meal, “Clean your plate and it will be a good day tomorrow.” Clarence was also a man of faith, watching church services on TV when he couldn’t attend in person. His daily devotions were always within reach of his favorite chair. Clarence traveled extensively to many Husker games and cruises with family and friends.

Survivors include:

Daughter: Barbara (Kenneth) Baker of Dakota Dunes, SD and family-

      Pat (Kylene) Baker and children, Katie (Tristan) Wieseler and Austin

      Ryan (Amanda) Baker and children, Ian and Miles

      Kelli Baker and children, Ethan and Liam

Daughter: Patricia (Stan) Wegner of Elkhorn, NE and daughter-

      Andrea (Mike) Nizzi and children, Nicholas, Max and Cash

Son: Michael Beutler of Pender, NE and children-

      Zachery (Kalie) Beutler and children, Brixton and Ryatt

      Heather (Allyn) Knobbe and children, Remey, Kansas, Layken, and Ledger

Son: Christopher (Melinda Kentfield) Beutler of Lincoln, NE and children-

      Josh (Alaynna) Beutler and children, Nora and Violet

      Baxter, Baylor, and Barrett

Two stepsons: Douglas O’Mara of Oldham, SD and Bradley (Inna) O’Mara of Spirit Lake, IA

Brother: Richard (Kathy) Beutler of West Point, NE

Brother-in-law: Richard Gunderson of St Paul, MN

Sister-in-law: Elaine Peterson of Oakland, NE

Many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Gertrude Beutler, his wife, Norma Beutler, his wife, Joan Beutler, a stillborn daughter, Penny, and a stillborn brother.