Clarence James Ekstein was born May 27, 1942 in Brainard, Nebraska, the son of James and Rose (Jelinek) Ekstein and passed away on November 22, 2013 at his home near Valparaiso, Nebraska at the age of 71 years, 5 months, 26 days. He was a 1961 graduate of Dwight Assumption High School. Clarence was united in marriage to Alice Marie (Policky) Ekstein on June 22, 1963 in Bee, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Jason and Jodi. He served in the Army National Guard from 1966 through 1971. Clarence was a lifelong farmer and was also employed at Hughes Brothers for 39 years as a fork truck driver; he retired from Hughes Brothers in 2008. Clarence enjoyed attending auctions, polka music, riding his four-wheeler, fishing, deer hunting and raising livestock. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Brainard. Clarence is preceded in death by his parents, James and Rose Ekstein and sisters-in-law, Helen Poe and Sandy Policky. Survivors cherishing Clarence's memory include his wife of 50 years, Alice Ekstein, Valparaiso; son and daughter-in-law, Jason and Summer Ekstein, Valparaiso; daughter and son-in-law, Jodi and Steve Nissen, Weeping Water; grandchildren, Colt, Allison and Bailee Nissen; sister and brother-in-law, Marianne and Joseph Trouba, Dwight; brothers-in-law, Joseph Policky, Milford and Rodney Poe, Seward; other relatives and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Clarence.