Kloke, Moser named Good Neighbors

by Mary Le Arneal
Published 6/6/12

Mildred Emanuel has plenty of family living nearby who are always there for her, but sometimes a friendly neighbor is good to have.

Bob Moser and Jack Kloke flank their neighbor Mildred Emanuel.

Bob Moser and Jack Kloke have been Emanuel’s neighbors for 12 and seven years, respectively. Both lived in the country before moving into North Bend, so it was a new experience having close neighbors.

For their good deeds in lending Emanuel a helping hand, Kloke and Moser will be recipients of the Good Neighbor Award.

The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation and the Omaha World-Herald announced the 68th annual Good Neighbor Award recipients on June 1. The Good Neighbor awards recognize individuals from Nebraska and western Iowa who have “performed neighborly acts and deeds unselfishly without personal gain.” There are 47 recipients this year, representing 20 Nebraska counties. Later this year, award winners will be recognized at their local county fairs with a certificate and Good Neighbor lapel pin.

Kloke, 75, and Moser, 77, were recognized for assisting Emanuel, making it possible for her to stay in her home. They take care of her yard, garden and also bring mail to her front door. They shovel snow on her sidewalk and deliver her things to the recycling center. They helped when her garage door broke.

Emanuel, 92, gave more examples of her helpful neighbors.

In the winter of 2009 when there was a lot of snow, Kloke brought his family visiting from Tennessee to help shovel snow. His grandchildren, who had never seen so much snow, had fun shoveling.

Moser tells of a time he told his wife, Caryn, not to shovel the snow-covered sidewalk out front because the snow was too wet and heavy. The Mosers drove past Emanuel’s house only to see her out shoveling snow.

“She embarrasses me in what she can do and I can’t,” Moser said.

Emanuel says that many winter mornings, before the snow was removed, Moser would show up with her mail.

Last summer there was a tour of Saunders County Catholic churches that Emanuel wanted to attend, so the Mosers and Loretta Kloke went along to escort Emanuel.
One Sunday evening, Emanuel’s son David was visiting. When it was time to take him home, Emanuel’s garage door would not open. She called the Klokes, and Loretta took David home. The next day, Jack and Eugene Minarick were there to fix the door.

Another time Emanuel asked for a bucket of manure from Moser’s horses. Instead he brought a tractor scoop full.

Kloke said Emanuel is always out there working on something.

“I hope I can still do that when I’m that age,” Kloke said.

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