Nicolette Sue "Nicki" Klein

Nicolette Sue “Nicki” Klein was born on February 3, 1953, in Carroll, Iowa, to Doris and Clifford Klein. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in Portsmouth and graduated from Harlan Community High School with the Class of 1971. She later attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nicki spent many years working in the banking industry, helping both new and existing employees through changes that came with bank ownership transitions. She was known for her patience, kindness, and willingness to help others.

Helping others was an important part of Nicki’s life. Through her many years with Rotary International, she traveled to six of the seven continents and participated in projects such as building homes and wells for clean water and providing vaccinations in developing communities. She also volunteered with Girl Scouts and various women’s shelters.

Family was very important to Nicki. She cherished her siblings, nieces, and nephews and enjoyed bringing everyone together for family gatherings. She was often the one organizing meals and activities and was affectionately known as “The General.” Her cooking, humor, and love of bringing people together created many special memories for her family.

Nicki was also a talented dancer from a young age. She practiced in the basement of Ray and Jeanette Chipman’s home and later performed at the Iowa State Fair, where she won awards. She also appeared on the Bill Riley Talent Show.

Nicki died on August 14, 2026, at Bryan West Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, following a short illness. She will be remembered for her generosity, her willingness to serve others, her love of family, and the many people she helped throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Clifford Klein, and her brother Marcus.

Nicki is survived by her brother, Curtiss and sister-in-law Jane; sister, Lucinda Klein-Lombardo and brother-in-law Russ; brother, Tim; sister Mary Beth Bladt and brother-in-law Wayne; and sister, Jodine Holloway and brother-in-law Tim; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers Nicki's family will distribute memorials in her memory to the various organizations she supported in her lifetime.