Barbara Ann McClellen, 82, of Elkhorn, NE, passed away April 12, 2026, in Elkhorn, NE. She was born on May 6, 1943, at Fort Francis E Warren in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Luther and Beulah (Gates) Bates. She grew up in North Platte, NE, where she attended school and graduated from North Platte High School in 1961.

After graduating from high school, Barb worked for Municipal Light and Water before marrying her junior high school sweetheart, Donald Lane McClellen. They married on April 27, 1962, at her parent’s home. They made their home in North Platte until 1976, when the family moved to Maxwell, NE. Barb was a paraprofessional at Maxwell Public Schools for many years. She was a Girl Scout leader for over 25 years. In 2016, she moved to Omaha, NE, to be near her children. After a fall in 2024, she moved to Brookstone Meadows, where she resided until her death.

Barb enjoyed crocheting, jigsaw puzzles, playing card games, and the game Shut the Box. She enjoyed the activities while at Brookestone, especially the music programs and playing bingo. She was part of the Older Workers in the Lord’s Service (OWLS) and the Residents Council, where she advocated for others until her dementia worsened. Barb enjoyed attending Christ Community Church and being part of the Stamp Ministry. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Lane; son Steven; her parents, Luther and Beulah (Gates) Bates; sister Margret Thompson; and great-grandson Otto Siekman.

She is survived by her daughters, Judy McClellen and Luana McClellen, both of Omaha, NE; and her son, Michael (Annette) McClellen, of Papillion, NE; daughter-in-law Melanie McClellen, of Gothenburg, NE. Grandchildren: Roni (Daniel) Deever of Bennington, NE; Andrew McClellen, of Kearney, NE; Michaela (Ben) Glesinger of Bellevue, NE; and Heather (Sam) Siekman of Elwood, NE. Great-grandchildren Lucille and Ophelia Deever. Siblings: Pat (Norman) Crom of Tabor, IA; brother-in-law Larry (Linda) Thompson of Sarasota, FL and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be Friday, April 17th, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with family receiving friends and loved ones from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, 1616 West B, North Platte, NE. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on April 18th, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel. Burial will be at the Plainview Cemetery in Maxwell, NE. Memorials may be made to the family in her memory. The service will be live-streamed under Barbara’s online obituary located on the Carpenter Memorial Chapel website.