Klees, Mervin R. 1929-2015

KLEES, MITCHELL, OSWEILER, BEY, DRETZKA, LUNDQUIST

Posted By: Paul Palmer (email)
Date: 5/2/2015 at 08:29:10

Mervin R. Klees, 86, of Burlington, died at 6:00 PM Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at the Oak Lane Nursing and Rehab in Stronghurst.

Born March 13, 1929, in Waukon, IA he was the son of Ralph Henry and Marie Isabelle Mitchell Klees. On January 22, 1955, he married Carole M. Osweiler in Farmington, IA.

In his youth Mervin worked on the Levi Miller farm south of Burlington. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February of 1951. He served in the 3rd Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment in the Korean War where he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge by General Douglas MacArthur. He was discharged in 1952 and he served in the Army Reserves for six years until he was honorably discharged in 1960. He worked at Murray Iron Works for eight years. He retired from Burlington Northern Railroad in 1993. He worked for Ideal Concrete as a Truck Driver, farmed, did odd jobs and helped his son and grandson farming.

He was a member of SS. John & Paul Catholic Church, St Vincent de Paul Society, a Knights of Columbus 4th Degree member of the Mackin Assembly #261, American Legion Post 52, V.F.W. Post 9162, Fraternal Order of the Eagles Burlington Aerie #150, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #579. He volunteered as a Black Knight pallbearer, the Burlington Regional Air Show, and mowed the North 6th Street Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Carole; three sons, Michael Klees of Burlington, Paul (Anna Michelle) Klees of Stronghurst, IL, and Peter (Lisa) Klees of Burlington; six grandchildren, Phillip, Kyle, Chad and Amanda Klees, Machele Osborn Bey, and Jolene Dretzka; five great-grandchildren, Khloe and Adam Lundquist, Kelse and Kaleb Klees, and Mikai Osborn Bey; several nieces and nephews, and foreign exchange student, Sebas Olivan of Barcelona, Spain.

He was preceded in death by his father in 1934, his mother in 1992, and one sister in infancy.

- See more at: http://www.thielenfuneralhome.com/obituary/Mervin-R.-Klees/Burlington-IA/1503852#.dpuf