McKlveen, Joseph Little 1913-2006

MCKLVEEN, LITTLE, GOODWIN, NISSEN, JONES, NISSEN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/31/2006 at 19:04:08

PRAIRIE CITY -- Joseph Little McKlveen, 92, died Monday, May 22, 2006, at his home in Prairie City.

A funeral service will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at Prairie City United Methodist Church. Coburn Funeral Home in Prairie City is handling arrangements.

Visitation will be today from 2 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Prairie City United Methodist Church or to the Grinnell College Athletic Department.

The son of John Henry and Florence (Little) McKlveen, he was born Nov. 18, 1913, in Prairie City. He graduated from Prairie City High School in 1931 and from Grinnell College in 1935. Following graduation, he returned to Prairie City to join his father in the lumber business. As president of J.H. McKlveen & Company and McKlveen & Sons Inc., he expanded the enterprises of these companies into home construction and fence building.

In 1938, he married Louise Goodwin of Baxter, whom he had met in Grinnell. He volunteered his time for many community organizations, including Prairie City United Methodist Church, Prairie City School Board, Lions Club, Masonic Lodge and Prairie City Fire Department. He also was active in the trade organizations of his business and held many state, regional and national offices, including president of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association in 1972. He worked with state and national legislatures on matters of importance to small businesses.

Mr. McKlveen was an accomplished athlete in high school and college. He ran for Grinnell at the Drake Relays and has since been an enthusiastic spectator with many of his family members. He enjoyed watching his children participate in athletic and musical events. After retirement, he spent many afternoons with friends on the golf course.

He is survived by his wife; four sons and daughters-in-law, William and Jacki of Boise, Idaho, Thomas and Nancy of Des Moines, Richard and Kristen of Prairie City and Robert McKlveen and Ellen Jones of Edina, Minn.; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Jo and Mark Nissen of Edina, Minn.; daughter-in-law, Barbara McKlveen; 14 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother and two sisters-in-law, John H. Jr. and Ruth Mc Klveen of Des Moines and Judy Goodwin; a cousin, nephew, three nieces and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his oldest son, James, and his parents.

The Newton (IA) Daily News, May 23, 2006