Employees
Darrell Kraupie
Real Estate Broker & Auctioneer
Darrell has held his Nebraska Real Estate license since 1978, Broker's License since 1986, and he is also licensed in Colorado. He earned the Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate (AARE) designation in 1998. Darrell's earliest auction experience came in 1968 when his dad let him sell a piece of equipment at a farm sale east of Bridgeport.
Darrell says that the part of the auction business that means the most to him is the relationships he has formed over the years. His personal approach to Real Estate and Auction sales helps him to create successful outcomes for buyers and sellers he works with from near and far. Darrell's most famous auction saying is "It's not the things you buy at an auction that you remember the longest. It's those things you don't buy."
Darrell is a member of Nebraska Auctioneers Association and National Auctioneers Association as well as AQHA, APHA, Masons, and Shriners. He serves on the Morrill County Hospital Foundation and is active in his church.
Darrell's parents, Harold & Evelyn founded the business. Darrell's wife Alecia and their children, Kristen, Del Ray, & Hardan "Jake" all work in the family business. In his free time (which doesn't amount to much), he enjoys following his sons on the rodeo trail, hunting, fishing, and working on the family farm.
Alecia Kraupie
Real Estate Sales & Head Auction Clerk
Alecia has worked in the Real Estate & Auction business since the mid-1980s. She has held her Nebraska Real Estate License since 1996. For Alecia, the personal connections that are formed with clients and customers is the difference that sets Kraupie's Real Estate & Auctioneers apart from the competition.
Before joining the business full-time, Alecia worked for 20 years as a RN. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from CU School of Nursing in 1977.
Alecia's ties to Kraupie's Real Estate & Auctioneers goes back farther than her marriage to Darrell. In 1968, before her family moved to Colorado, Harold held her father's land and machinery auction! This was the first land Harold Kraupie sold at auction.
Alecia's main area of expertise is in residential Real Estate sales and antique and household auctions. Alecia's favorite auction memory was finding rare, valuable gold coins hidden in a small watch box in a secret compartment. Alecia's attention to detail led to her discovery after the box was passed around to several people inspecting the watch.
The most rewarding part of the Real Estate & Auction business for Alecia is the friendships and relationships she has made over the years. Alecia says, "I truly care about the people I have gotten to know after connecting over a real estate transaction or at an auction." For Alecia, the personal connections that are formed with clients and customers is the difference that sets Kraupie's Real Estate & Auctioneers apart from the competition. "We truly do care about each and every person that crosses our path. The personal connection and understanding is vital to creating a successful transaction and getting the best results for the client's needs."
Alecia is active in her church and volunteers with many organizations and causes including the Morrill County Hospital Foundation and benefit auctions. Alecia has been married to Darrell since 1982 and they have three children, Kristen, Del Ray, & Hardan "Jake" that work with them in the family auction business. In her free time, Alecia enjoys working in her yard & garden, fishing, reading, and doing crafty projects.
Del Ray Kraupie
Real Estate Sales & Auctioneer
Del Ray has worked in the auction business, as he puts it, "since Moby Dick was a minnow". Del has held his Real Estate license since 2011.
Del's focus is in Farm and Ranch Real Estate sales and Auctions.
Del graduated from Chadron State College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a Management option.
Del, like his siblings, grew up in the auction business gleaning experience from his father and grandfather from a young age. The first thing Del ever sold at auction was a pie for a benefit at the VFW under the watchful eye of his grandpa, Harold.
Del's focus is in Farm and Ranch Real Estate sales and Auctions. Del says, "As the third generation in this business, I understand the family farming and ranching dynamic. I strive to combine the knowledge passed on to me, my personal experience, and 21st century methods to provide professional and personal service."
Del is a member of the PRCA, is a former steer wrestling director for the Badlands circuit, and serves on the Morrill County Rodeo, Farm, & Ranch Board. He also volunteers his time conducting benefit auctions for various organizations, including the local FFA chapters. In his personal time, he enjoys rodeoing and hunting.
Del lives in Bridgeport with his wife, Stacy, and daughter, Whitley.
Kristen Kraupie
Auction Clerk & Technology Specialist
Kristen fills many positions in the company from clerking at auctions to digital advertising and website maintenance. Whether promoting an auction through various methods, preparing items for sale, or clerking an auction, Kristen enjoys connecting with people and tackling the unique challenges that each new situation presents.
Kristen spent some time away from the business attending Chadron State College where she received her B.A. and her Master's Degree in Community Counseling. Kristen is a go-to gal in many situations. Having been raised in the auction business she has a very keen sense of the dynamics of the auction process. Kristen is our specialist when it comes to social networking, graphics, computers, and internet technology. She is also the auction clerk.
Kristen sees the Auction and Real Estate business as a customer-centered business. She approaches each step with respect, keeping the client in mind as she understands that most people only experience the auction process from a seller's perspective a few times in their life. Whether promoting an auction through various methods, preparing items for sale, or clerking an auction, Kristen enjoys connecting with people and tackling the unique challenges that each new situation presents.
Kristen serves on the Morrill County Hospital Foundation Board, the Bridgeport Alumni Foundation Board, and volunteers her time and auction skills to many community fundraisers. Kristen also can be found coaching theater at Bridgeport High School. If she can find any free time, Kristen enjoys spending time with family and friends, road trips, fishing, cooking, and working in her yard.
Hardan "Jake" Kraupie
Auctioneer
Hardan "Jake" Kraupie works at auctions as an auctioneer and ringman. He is also heavily involved in sale preparation in which he exercises his skills and experience to prepare and present items. His expertise in staging items ensures that items are displayed in their best light and creates a great auction experience for both buyer and seller.
Hardan "Jake" Kraupie has worked in the family auction business since for as long as he can remember. He figures he was running sheets shortly after he learned to walk. The first thing Jake sold at an auction was a vacuum at a household sale when he was about 8 years old. Since then he has graduated to bigger things, namely farm machinery.
Jake graduated from Chadron State College in 2013 with a degree in Rangeland Management with a Livestock Option. He is currently pursuing his Real Estate License.
Jake works at auctions as an auctioneer and ringman. He is also heavily involved in sale preparation in which he exercises his skills and experience to prepare and present items. His expertise in staging items ensures that items are displayed in their best light and creates a great auction experience for both buyer and seller. In regards to his place in the business, Jake is interested in Farm Management. He explains, "My knowledge of the area, my experience, and my many contacts help me to understand how to make a farm thrive in western Nebraska and the surrounding areas."
Jake is a member of the PRCA and volunteers at benefit auctions throughout the year that raise money for organizations such as the local FFA chapters, Morrill County Hospital Foundation, and Safari Club International. In his personal time, Jake enjoys hunting, riding horses, and rodeoing.
Dorothy Retchless
Real Estate Sales
Dorothy Retchless has worked for Kraupie's in the Real Estate and Auction business since October 16, 1977. Dorothy has held her Real Estate license since 1989. Until 2015, Dorothy served as the office manager for Kraupie's. She has since tried to "retire", but finds herself staying busy with several projects and transactions at the office.
Dorothy has come to love the auction and real estate business over the years. She enjoys facing all of the challenges she is presented with from settling sales to selling properties. Dorothy says that the most rewarding part of her job is meeting clients, seeing them through to a successful transaction, and seeing how people improve their properties after the sale. Dorothy is known for her attention to detail and personal commitment to each transaction. She continually goes the extra mile to ensure that each deal has the potential to be successful for both buyer and seller.
Dorothy has been married to her husband Jim since 1965 and has two sons and two grandsons. Dorothy volunteers with several organizations including the Morrill County Hospital Foundation, the Morrill County Polling Committee, and Meals on Wheels. She is a member of All Souls Catholic church and serves on the CCW Altar Society and as Eucharistic Minister. She spends her personal time following her grandkids at their activities, especially rodeo. She enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her friends and family.
Mike Goeman
Auctioneer
Mike Goeman took part in his first auction with Kraupie's in 1983 near Hay Springs, NE. Since then, Mike has become a valuable asset to our team. He specializes in machinery auctions. Mike's main goals are to work hard towards a successful sale for the seller and make each auction an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Mike attended Auction School at the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA in 1981. He estimates the first thing he sold was some sheep at the Livestock Auction in Douglas, WY. Mike has auctioneered at several livestock auctions, from Glenrock, WY to Gordon, NE.
In regards to the auction process, Mike realizes that many people only have one chance to have an auction. Mike's main goals are to work hard towards a successful sale for the seller and make each auction an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Mike volunteers his time and auctioneering talents selling auctions for many organizations such as 4H, FFA, scholarship organizations, and families or people in need. Mike serves as the Fire Chief for the Broadwater Fire Department and is on the Morrill County Rodeo Farm and Ranch board.
Mike and his wife Marci reside at Broadwater, NE where they farm and raise cattle when they aren't busy at an auction. In his free time, Mike enjoys chasing his grandchildren and spending time with friends.
Mike attended Auction School at the World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, IA in 1981. He estimates the first thing he sold was some sheep at the Livestock Auction in Douglas, WY. Mike has auctioneered at several livestock auctions, from Glenrock, WY to Gordon, NE.
In regards to the auction process, Mike realizes that many people only have one chance to have an auction. Mike's main goals are to work hard towards a successful sale for the seller and make each auction an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Mike volunteers his time and auctioneering talents selling auctions for many organizations such as 4H, FFA, scholarship organizations, and families or people in need. Mike serves as the Fire Chief for the Broadwater Fire Department and is on the Morrill County Rodeo Farm and Ranch board.
Mike and his wife Marci reside at Broadwater, NE where they farm and raise cattle when they aren't busy at an auction. In his free time, Mike enjoys chasing his grandchildren and spending time with friends.
Steve Erdman
Real Estate Sales
Steve Erdman has been with Kraupie's since 2003 when he got his Real Estate license. Steve serves as a Real Estate Sales agent and also is a ringman at auctions. Steve strives to provide a complete service highlighted by honest, straightforward, and caring principles.
It was on his way to his first land auction after taking the Real Estate license exam that Steve called and found out that his license was active. Steve also got his Associates of Science from Nebraska Western College in 1971. Steve serves as a Real Estate Sales agent and also is a ringman at auctions.
When it comes to the Auction and Real Estate business, Steve thinks the most important part of each transaction is the relationships that are forged. Steve strives to provide a complete service highlighted by honest, straightforward, and caring principles.
When Steve isn't showing land and houses or at an auction, he stays busy with his duties as a Nebraska Senator serving District 47. Steve has also been a member of the Panhandle Coop board for 33 years, is a founding member of State Line Bean, has served as a Morrill County Commissioner for 9 years, and is a past president of the Nebraska Association of County Officials.
Steve resides north of Bayard, NE with his wife Cathy. They have 3 sons and 7 grandchildren. In his free time, Steve enjoys spending time with his grandkids, fishing, and raising acres of sweet corn.
Becky Blase
Real Estate Sales
Becky Blase has worked for Kraupie's Real Estate & Auctioneers since June of 2015 and has held her Nebraska Real Estate License since 2016.
Becky received her Associates of Business Administration from American Intercontinental University. She also holds her Nebraska Assessors certificate. Becky's past employment includes 13 years as an over-the-road truck driver, time in retail and lending banking, work as a property valuation specialist, employment at a law office, and work in the Sioux County Assessor's and Clerk's office.
Becky finds the relationships she has made through the business to be rewarding and she has enjoyed meeting and working with new people to form lasting professional and personal relationships.
Becky has volunteered with several groups over the years including 4H, FFA, Bountiful Baskets, and her church. She is a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the LMWL. Becky and her husband Lyle live outside of Bayard with their two corgis, Norton & Trixie. In her personal time she enjoys riding motorcycles and scuba diving.
Jennifer Compton
Real Estate Sales
Jennifer has worked as a Real Estate Sales agent with Kraupie's since 2016.
Sandy Schneider
Real Estate Sales
Sandy has worked as a Real Estate Sales agent with Kraupie's since 2017.
Marci Goeman
Auction Cashier
Marci got her start with Kraupie's Real Estate & Auctioneers delivering salebills across the region. From there, Marci joined the Auction Staff as a cashier.
Marci worked her first auction in November of 1999. Before she worked at auctions, Marci studied Production Agriculture and Vet Tech at University of Nebraska School of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, NE.
Marci sees auctions as a sort of reunion time where she gets to see people that she has come to know over the years. She enjoys seeing friends, neighbors, and those people she wouldn't see if it weren't at an auction.
Marci and her husband Mike (an auctioneer with Kraupie's) live outside of Broadwater, NE where they enjoy farming & raising cattle. Marci is also involved with many things including her church, the Broadwater Rose Hill Cemetery Board, and 4H. Her hobbies include spending time with her grandkids and 2 dachshunds, cooking, baking, gardening, camping, and fishing.
We are booking auctions for the coming year and have plenty of dates available.
We understand that you only have one chance to sell property that has been part of your life. Our service is different because we care about you and your property. This attention is reflected all the way down to our Auction Flyers. We continually search for better ways to market your property through continuing education offered by State and National Associations.
Please feel free to call any of our staff, call the office toll free 1-888-400-1150 or e-mail us at kraupie@farmauction.net.