Thomas C. Yelken

Cremation services were selected. Memorials in Tom's honor may be made to the Franklin Senior Center or Franklin EMTs.

Thomas Carl Yelken, 86, of Franklin, Nebraska passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the Arbor Care Center in Franklin, Nebraska. Tom was born May 5, 1938, to Carl T. and Bertha L. (Schmidt) Yelken on the family farm in the Spring Valley area, north of Riverton, Nebraska. He was baptized in the Spring Valley Methodist Church in 1945 and later transferred membership to the Franklin Methodist Church. Tom attended grade school in Spring Valley and graduated in 1956 from Franklin High School in Franklin, Nebraska. During summers he worked at the Edison Gale Ranch southwest of Valentine, Nebraska, and became lifetime friends with the family. After graduating he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958 and then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Tom also attended school for cattle buying and learned the cattle buying trade attending sales with his Uncle Hippe Yelken. On February 25, 1962 he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Carol S. Portenier at the Franklin Methodist Church. They were blessed with two children: Scott and Mary. Tom enjoyed farm and ranch life and especially working with cattle and horses. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Corriente Cattle Association. He owned several Quarter Horses that raced on tracks in Colorado and Nebraska. He was fond of Blue Heeler dogs. Beyond taking care of his own farm and livestock, he was a cattle buyer for area farmers and feedlots and attended cattle sales 5-6 days a week. Tom made close friends through his cattle buying business that became like family. Tom and Carol enjoyed collecting antiques together with Tom especially interested in horse related items. He always enjoyed keeping up with what was going on with the grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents Carl T. and Bertha Yelken; his sister and brotherin-law, Shirley and LaVerne Quadhamer. Tom is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol; his children Scott (Lori) of Burr Oak, KS and Mary (Phil) Kottmeyer of Lincoln, NE; grandchildren Jarett Yelken of Guide Rock, NE, Jaclyn Yelken (fiancé Brandon Anderson) of Diller, NE, Lexus Kottmeyer Brown (Austin Brown) of Seward, NE, Ben Kottmeyer of Lincoln, NE, MaKenzie Kottmeyer of Lincoln, NE. Great grandchildren Gentry Brown, Blakely Brown, and Bentley Brown. Tom’s life will be celebrated with a memorial service at 11:00am Saturday March 29th, 2025, at the Franklin Methodist Church, Franklin, Nebraska. Burial will follow at the Franklin Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Franklin Senior Center or the Franklin EMT's in his memory.