Sterling L. Schelkopf

March 28, 1932 - November 14, 2018

Dedicated veterinarian and livestock herd health program consultant, Dr. Sterling Schelkopf, 86, passed away on November 14, 2018, at Westfield Quality Care in Aurora, Nebraska. Sterling Lynn Schelkopf was born in Geneva on March 28, 1932, to Isaac and Magdalena (Shrock) Schelkopf. Sterling had three older brothers: Dean, Robert, and Russell; two younger brothers, Stanley and Conley; and two younger sisters, Sharol (Cisney) and Mary (Wythers). He grew up farming with his dad and brothers, graduating from Geneva high school in 1949. He joined the U.S. Army in 1952, serving as a Sergeant in the Korean War until 1954. In June 1955, Sterling married Beverly Ham of Sutton, and they had five children together: Jeffrey (Teri), Kristin, Kurt (Shannon), Lewis (Lorraine), and Nancy. Upon returning home from Korea, he credited, and was always grateful to, his big brother, Russ, for encouraging him to apply to veterinary school. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1960 from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, graduating in the top percentage of his class. He and Russ practiced together for many years in Sycamore, Illinois. Moving the family back to their home state of Nebraska in 1969, he began farming and raising cattle west of Sutton. Soon thereafter, he began operating the Schelkopf Veterinary Clinic large and small animal practice out of a corner of the calving barn. In 1971, he and Beverly built a new clinic closer to town, expanding to three veterinarians, as well as serving cattle and swine operations in the neighboring states of Iowa and Kansas. Sterling was also a reputed horse surgeon, occasionally operating on race horses from across the country. Together with his sons, operating as S. S. Swine, he designed and built innovative swine operations and breeding production programs, as well as automated feeding systems. He was an active member of the American Veterinary Medicine Association, continuing to practice and provide consulting well into his late 70’s. He was often a featured speaker to the association, sharing his entrepreneurial insights and successful programs relating to cattle herd health, feedlot nutrition, and swine production. Sterling and Beverly sold the clinic in 1983 (currently the Sutton Veterinary Clinic west of town on Highway 6). He soon moved to Bassett, continuing to sell breeding swine and raise cattle, his primary practice in cattle feedlot operations and herd health nutrition consulting. He and Beverly divorced in 1991. He re-married in 2000 to Mary McMullen of Bassett. They lived in Long Pine until his divorce in 2007. He lived in St. Paul and, most recently, in Aurora. Sterling was preceded in death by his parents; brothers; younger sister, Mary (Wythers); sisters-in-law Betty Schelkopf and Eloise Schelkopf; brothers-in-law Steven Wythers and Dewain Cisney; and former wife Mary Schelkopf. Sterling is survived by his sister, Sharol (Dewain) Cisney of Tempe, Arizona; sisters-in-law Donna Schelkopf of Geneva and Berni Schelkopf of DeKalb, Illinois; former wife Beverly Epp of Henderson; children, Jeffrey (Teri) Schelkopf of Sutton; Kristin Swanson of Paonia, Colorado; Kurt (Shannon) Schelkopf of Sutton; Lewis (Lorraine) Schelkopf of Stockham; and Nancy Dorsey of Loup City. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jessica (Randy) Leska of McCook; Trenton (Amy) Schelkopf of Sutton; Jolene (Ryan) Sypniewski of St. Charles, Illinois; Jami Dorsey of Fort Collins, Colorado; Zachary (Sarah) Griess of Grand Island; Cajun Griess of Winter Park, Colorado; Nick Griess of Avon, Colorado; Toni (Matt) Kliewer of Aurora; Krystal (Eric) Gonzales of Sutton; Jeri (Kevin) George of Sutton; Cole (Dayna) Schelkopf of Sutton; Isaac (Tara) Schelkopf of Stockham; Caleb (Kelly) Schelkopf of Giltner; Jesse Schelkopf of Sutton; Whitney (Mike) Kaminski of Loup City; and Demi (Tjade) Rodocker of St. Paul; and 31 great-grandchildren (with two more on the way in 2019). A Funeral Mass for Sterling was held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Geneva. A Rosary was prayed at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. Father Harlan Waskowiak officiated the services. Charlotte Bumgarner accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace,” “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,” “On Eagles’ Wings,” and “Song Of Farewell.” Pallbearers for the service included Trenton Schelkopf, Zachary Griess, Cajun Griess, Nick Griess, Isaac Schelkopf, Caleb Schelkopf, Jesse Schelkopf, and Cole Schelkopf. Honorary Pallbearers were all of Sterling’s Grandchildren and their spouses and Sterling’s Great Grandchildren. A Graveside Service was held in the Geneva Public Cemetery following the Funeral Mass. Farmer & Son Funeral Home of Geneva was in charge of the arrangements and online condolences can be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to Westfield Quality Care at 1313 1st Street, Aurora, Nebraska 68818 or Matelyn Retirement Community at 602 O Street, St. Paul, Nebraska 68823.