Carlyle Sue Klapka, 69 years of age, a resident at Beatrice State Developmental Center for the past 62 years passed away on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center. She was born on October 14, 1955 to Rudolph T. Klapka, and Carlyle J. Klapka in Omaha. Carlyle was developmentally disabled from birth due to complications during the pregnancy of deathly leveled illness caused by communicable hepatitis B and following birth contracted a mild case of polio. She was a happy energetic child and began living at BSDC when she was 7 years old. All her life she enjoyed music and swimming. At her home she participated in programmatic and recreational activities, outings to the community, included shopping, visiting parks and enjoying all of nature. The length of her life is a true testament to BSDC's excellent quality, respectfully caring, and loving professional staff over her 62 years of residence there. For all her lifetime, all staff and every employee working there provided a safe, healthy and joyful environment for Carlyle as she grew and aged. She was forever dependent and required assistance with all aspects in her activities of daily living. 

Carlyle is survived by her mother, Carlyle J. Montelius and husband Ken; three sisters, Trudy Nelson, Kandace Golas, Melissa Mueller; step sister, Kim Bacon; brother-in-law, Stuart Nelson; step brother-in-law, Mike Bacon; uncle, Gene Grimm; aunt, Gloria Grimm; niece, Leslie Halleman; step niece, Addie Bacon; nephews, Marc Nelson, Gavin and Trevor Golas, Mark Halleman; step nephew, Andy Bacon; great niece, Amelia Halleman; cousins, Melody, Marlese, Michele and Genie Grimm; and all of her family at BSDC. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Hugo E. Grimm and Holly Grimm; paternal grandparents; Rudolph and Minnie Klapka; father, Rudolph T. Klapka; uncle, Elmer Klapka; and brother-in-law, Rick Mueller.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 PM Monday, April 28, 2025 in the BSDC Chapel. Condolences may be left online at www.harmanwrightmortuary.com. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.