Kloppenborg, Albert Blaine 1932-2015

KLOPPENBORG, BAILEY, SCOTT, GIBSON, BALZER, HENSLEY, RACKLEMAN, WILSON, GRIMES, MARK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/28/2015 at 18:30:23

Blaine Kloppenborg, 83, of Webster City, died Sunday, May 24, 2015, at Wesley Acres in Des Moines. A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center with Pastor Mark Eichler officiating. Burial will follow the service at Cass Township Cemetery with military rites by the American Legion Post #191. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 29 at the funeral home.

Albert Blaine Kloppenborg, son of Albert S. and Ila I. Bailey Kloppenborg, was born May 16, 1932, in Mingo. Blaine received an Eagle Scout Award during his time with the Eagle Scouts. He graduated from Simpson College in Indianola, with a business degree. Blaine served his country in the United States Marines during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. He received four Purple Hearts, two Bronze Stars, a Silver Star, a Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corp Reserve Ribbon and a Commemorative Rifle that is in a museum at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Blaine was responsible for the most successful sniper mission in Korea. He married Nancy Scott June 28, 1958, in Dallas Center. The couple resided in Albia, Newton and Marshalltown, before moving to Webster City in 1969. Blaine was a longtime employee at Van Diest Supply.

Blaine is survived by his son, Scott (Lisa Gibson) Kloppenborg of Ankeny; companion, Donna Balzer of Des Moines; sister, Ruth Hensley of Tomah, Wis.; sisters-in-law, Peggy (George) Rackleman, Mary Wilson and Judy Grimes.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and his daughter, Julie Kloppenborg-Mark.

Blaine was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a board member of the Boone Valley Izaack Walton League. For 45 years he wrote the Izaak Walton report in the Webster City Freeman Journal. Blaine was also a member of the American Legion Post #191 and the Odd Fellows Lodge. He helped start the Family Fishing Tournament. He also taught hunter safety classes. He wrote for Field and Stream and Outdoor Life magazines during the 60s and 70s. Blaine enjoyed hunting, fishing, shooting, woodworking and bird watching.

Memorials may be directed to the Boone Valley Izaak Walton League in memory of Blaine. Write a personal tribute for the family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa 28 May 2015.