About

Thomas Dennis Buckley was born in December 1897 in Missouri to Dennis and Susan Buckley. His family—his parents, brothers Frank and John, sister Elizabeth, and Tom—moved to Lamar in 1906.

In 1917, Tom came to Chappell, Nebraska with his brothers. The men lived in a bunkhouse on wheels and hired out to break sod using a one-cylinder Rumley tractor.

After serving one year in the military, Tom worked on the railroad for several years before returning to Chappell, where he began farming. He continued farming until his death on June 12, 1979.

Upon his death, a Private Foundation—the Thomas D. Buckley Trust—was formed in accordance with his wishes. The Trustees sold his land in 1980 at record-high prices and invested the proceeds, along with the investments Tom held at the time of his death. These funds continue to support the mission of the Trust today.

Trustee History

The original Trustees at the establishment of the Trust in 1979 were Walter (Ole) Peterson, Jim Jacobs, and Bill Hughes. Dwight Smith, Attorney, served as Secretary, and Connie Loos served as Assistant Secretary.

• Jim Jacobs passed away in November 1988 and was succeeded by Francis Kripal.

• Walter Peterson passed away in February 1994, and Dwight Smith was appointed as a Trustee.

• Francis Kripal passed away in September 2021 and was succeeded by Dale Fornander.

• Bill Hughes passed away in July 2025, and was succeeded by Joan Hansen.

• Dwight Smith passed away in March 2024, and was succeeded by Connie Loos in June 2025.

• Jena Hansen was hired as Executive Director in June 2025.

Current Trustees

Dale Fornander
Joan Hansen
Connie Loos