Our History

The Kildare Lumber legacy began in 1908 when company founder Hubert Kildare started working at Welpton Lumber of Paxton, Nebraska.  Kildare left to serve in the Army during World War I.  After returning, he purchased the company with partner Albert LeDioyt in 1923.  In October 1929, Kildare bought LeDioyt’s shares in the company, and a tradition was born.  
Original Store, 1928

Hubert Kildare believed in helping his community grow through his business. He always stood by his principles and beliefs as a businessman, even in difficult times.  During the Great Depression, Kildare Lumber bartered coal and lumber for products from local merchants and farmers.  When lumber was being rationed during World War II, Kildare helped provide other lumberyards with supplies and lumber.  Due to his credibility and respect, he was elected president of the Nebraska Lumber Dealers association in 1942. 
Hubert Kildare

In 1949, Hubert's son Bernard returned to Paxton, Nebraska and started working for Kildare Lumber Company. Hubert Kildare passed away in 1957, and Bernard became the company’s president. Under Bernard's leadership, Kildare Lumber expanded into other markets in western Nebraska.  In 1960, Kildare Lumber, opened its second store in Sutherland, Nebraska, and in 1965, opened a store in Ogallala, Nebraska.  The company continued to expand into the communities of North Platte (1975), Cozad (1986), and McCook (1989). 
Bernard Kildare

In 2002, Bernard's nephew, Patrick Pelster, became president of the company. Pelster , a Certified Public Accountant, joined the business in 1977, and had previously managed the Paxton branch. Bernard Kildare passed away in 2004.

After 100 years, Kildare Lumber Company is still devoted to providing quality products at low prices, and to serving the customers and communities that we hold dear.

Our heritage

Kildare Lumber Company has been owned by the Kildare family since its foundation, and has been passed down for three generations. While Western Nebraska has changed over the last hundred years, our business's values haven't changed, and still stem right from our family's beliefs; loyalty, integrity, and hard work.

Members of the Kildare family have provided over 400 years of service to Kildare Lumber Company, and our extended family, our employees, has also provided over 350 years of experience serving you.

Here are the Kildare family members who have carried on Hubert Kildare's vision.

First-generation employees

Second-generation employees

Third-generation employees

Fourth-generation employees
  • Hubert Kildare - 49 years
  • Huberta Pribyl - 18 years
  • Mrs. Hubert Kildare - 14 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • Bernard Kildare - 59 years
  • Hugh Thalken - 14 years
  • Veronica Thalken - 9 years
  • Don Wiest - 5 years
  • Evelyn Wiest - 3 years
  • Christine Pelster - 2 years
  • Dorothy Stark - 2 years

 

 

 

 

 
  • Mike Pelster - 35 years
  • Susan Crewdson - 35 years
  • Gordon Crewdson - 35 years
  • Patrick Pelster - 34 years
  • Dianne Fox - 35 years
  • Normal Cogil - 4 years
  • Joe Pribyl Jr. - 3 years
  • Anne Kirkpatrick - 3 years
  • Sally Borowski - 2 years
  • Jane Stark - 2 years
  • Thad Stark - 2 years
  • Matt Stark - 2 years
  • Mark Stark - 1 year
  • Patrick Fox - 24 years
  • Derek Crewdson - 10 years
  • Mike Pelster Jr. - 6 years
  • Philip Pelster - 4 years
  • Ashley Pelster - 3 years
  • David Pelster - 2 years
  • Joel Pelster - 2 years
  • Ryan Pelster - 2 years
  • Cathy Fox - 1 year
  • Jane Fox - 1 year
  • Chad Borowski - 1 year
  • Troy Stark - 1 year

 

 
Italicized denotes employees still at Kildare Lumber