Kellie S. John

Kellie S. John, age 71, of Kearney, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2026, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney with Archbishop – Designate James R. Golka as Celebrant. Interment will follow at the Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. with a Christian Wake following at 6:00 p.m., on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church. Memorials are suggested to St. James Catholic Church. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Kellie Sue John was born on February 8, 1955 in Kearney, NE to Melvin and Beulah John. She grew up in the Sumner/Miller area and enjoyed her youth with her brother, Dan on the John Angus Farms. She graduated from SEM High School in 1973. Kellie dedicated 52 years of service to Buffalo County. Her career began in the surveyors office in November 1973 until September 5, 1978. She then started working in the Register of Deeds office where she worked as an Abstract Clerk through 1984. In January of 1985 she was appointed as Deputy Register of Deeds. In January of 1999 she took oath and became the Register of Deeds of Buffalo County and held that office until the time of her passing. She fulfilled this roll with pride, demonstrating an extraordinary work ethic and strong belief in the importance of the oath that she took. If Kellie did something for you, you could relax knowing it was done to perfection! Kellie lived a life defined by dedication to her faith, family, and friends. She was an active member of the St James Catholic Church and served as a volunteer in the ministries and committees of the church. She was creative, loved the color blue, enjoyed collecting angels, doing calligraphy projects for others and decorating her home with art pieces of faith. She enjoyed life’s simple pleasures…sharing a good glass of wine with her loved ones, traveling, music, and especially watching her nieces and nephews activities, and caring for her parents and family. She had a remarkable gift of making others feel special, important, and loved. Receiving a gift from Kellie was like getting two gifts…one was the beautiful way it was wrapped and the second was that you knew the meaningful gift inside was chosen specifically for you. Kellie was a strong presence in Buffalo County and the community, serving in a multitude of organizations and touching countless lives. She was a member of the Nebraska Association of County Clerks, Register of Deeds and Election Commissioners (NACREC); NIRMA; and NACO where she held many various positions, too numerous to list. One of Kellie’s greatest accomplishments was being instrumental in the implementation of the learning management system for the Register of Deeds. Kellie was active in the community serving in the following organizations; United Way, Buffalo County Legal Secretaries, Chamber Of Commerce, Kearney Catholic High School, MONA, Trails and Rails Museum , Crane Theater, Habitat for Humanity, Buffalo County Community Partners and P.E.O.- EG. She is lovingly remembered by her mother, Beulah of Kearney; brother, Dan (Pam) John of Miller, NE; nephews & nieces, Eric (Stacy) John of Miller, NE.; Stacia Tallon of Hill City, SD, Lexie John of Rapid City, SD.; Clinton John of Miller, NE.; great-nephews and nieces, Deric and Isaac John of Miller, NE., and Grace John of Laramie, Wyoming.; Taylor, Brody, and Maddy Tallon of Hill City, SD. and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin in 2022. Although we grieve the loss of Kellie, we know she is now at peace in the presence of the Lord and more than likely having some ice cream with her dad while they play a game of cards. As she told many before her passing, “ I am not afraid to die, but I sure do hate to leave all those that I love behind. In heaven there will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears, it is going to be glorious!” You will be forever missed Kellie! “Love you to the ends of the earth.”

Tributes

Kellie S. John

February 8, 1955 - February 21, 2026