Kyle Klein moved to Red Cloud in 2018 with his wife Jackie and daughters to be closer to Jackie's family (Glenda, Larry, and Lana Tietjen) and has been an active member of the community ever since, having organized the inaugural BBQFest and Cookoff in October 2019 and being active with Hospital functions, the United Methodist Church, the Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund, the Lions' Club, and more. Kyle was born and raised in Missouri and has been involved in construction most of his adult life, traveling all over as a construction superintendent.

What is your favorite thing about Red Cloud?

The culture. For a small town in Nebraska, Red cloud is a busy place. We have the shows at the Opera House and different events at On The Brix among other things.

You just became a member of the Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund. Why do you value that organization and why do you think it’s important to build a culture of philanthropy in Red Cloud?

We are very fortunate to have the community foundation working with the community to improve Red Cloud. The community foundation working with the community can help Red Cloud to grow and create jobs. It was amazing to me to see the responses we received at the visioning session we held and also how the youth of our community stepped up with what they would like to see in the community. I hope the foundation can continue to raise the awareness that Red Cloud is worth investing in. We truly care about improving the Town.

What are some of your favorite businesses to shop at in Red Cloud? Why?

We try to shop local as much as possible. We shop at Hometown Market, Fat Fox's, Village Pharmacy, Kenny's Lumber, Subway and bank at Heritage Bank.

It was amazing to me to see the responses we [the Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund] received at the visioning session we held and also how the youth of our community stepped up with what they would like to see in the community. I hope the foundation can continue to raise the awareness that Red Cloud is worth investing in. We truly care about improving the Town.

Your work at the Webster County Community Hospital (WCCH). Is there anything you wish people knew about WCCH?

I am the maintenance manager at Webster county community hospital. The community is very lucky to have the hospital and clinic. I feel the hospital and clinic are starting to reach out and be more involved in the community. We want to serve the residents of Webster County to the best of our ability. We have a great staff at the hospital who truly care about the well being of the patients. The hospital is always trying to adjust its services to what is needed, but we also need the community to support the hospital so we can make the changes.

We have a great staff at the hospital who truly care about the well being of the patients. The hospital is always trying to adjust its services to what is needed, but we also need the community to support the hospital so we can make the changes.

You were the lead organizer for the inaugural BBQ Cook-Off earlier this year and will help organize the Soup Cook-Off in January. Why do you value these events? Do you think that they’ll continue? Why is it important for the hospital to be involved?

I set out with one goal for the BBQ and that was to bring some unity with the community, to show the residents the hospital is here to serve you. I think every year the BBQ will grow and become the best BBQ cook off in Nebraska. The cook off helped to bring the hospital out if its shell. We had amazing support from local businesses, a great group of volunteers from the hospital and great teams cooking in the competition. We are getting a great response for the soup cook off. This year the community will be the judge everyone will receive a ballot to judge the soups as they go around sampling. We hope to have 20 teams competing with some great prizes. The hospital being involved lets the people of Webster County know we are here for you, we want you to come see the doctors, and use the hospital for your medical needs. But it also lets the hospital give back to the community.

Is there anything else that you’re involved with in Red Cloud that you would like our readers to know more about?

I am Trustee at the United Methodist church and my wife and I belong to the Lion's Club

What are you most proud of?

My fight to come back from a Brain Stem stroke 6 years ago. I was told I would never work again, and that I would always walk with a cane or a walker. I still have some struggles but, for the most part, I have recovered--thanks to a lot of support.

Do you have a mantra or mission statement you live by?

Live today for today. Tomorrow is not promised.

You moved to Red Cloud from Lincoln recently. Do you have any advice for someone looking to relocate to rural Nebraska?

The advice I would give to someone relocating to a rural area is to go into with an open mind. Get involved in the community and in your church: you will be busier in the community in a small town than you are in a big city.

I am proud of my fight to come back from a Brain Stem stroke 6 years ago. I was told I would never work again, and that I would always walk with a cane or a walker. I still have some struggles but, for the most part, I have recovered--thanks to a lot of support.

What is your dream vacation?

I would love to go to Alaska, stay in a remote cabin, and just enjoy the peace and quiet.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Explain why.

I have three. First, is my mother. She was a very strong willed person and taught all of her children to stand up for themselves. The second is my daughter Kayla. She helped me keep the fight going to recover from the stroke and never lets me quit. And finally, my wife Jackie--who supports me every day.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am originally from Missouri . I come from a family of 7 children and I am the youngest with a twin brother who is 7 minutes older than me. I have been in construction most of my adult life traveling all over as a construction superintendent building schools, hospitals, office buildings, Residential homes, Historical renovations. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet people and learn about the different cultures. I decided to stop traveling when my wife and I decided to move to Red Cloud so we could be more involved in the community. The move to Red Cloud has been good for our family--my wife gets to be closer to her family. We really enjoy the community and the family time.