Klein, Willard 1921-2004

KLEIN, ERICKSON, LUNDERGAN, TIFFANY, HAKE, HIGBEE, GRUA, JOHNSON

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 9/27/2004 at 22:36:31

Willard Klein
September 27, 2004

Willard Klein, a man who loved life, departed for Gods happy hunting ground. He died Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2004, from Lou Gehrigs disease (ALS) at the age of 83. ALS took his life; but Willard took with him much love, many memories and no regrets.

He died comfortably at home among family. Willard was a man eternally faithful to family and friend; he was earnest and honest in all endeavors; he was profoundly strong of heart, limb and spirit. Any who knew him well will miss him greatly.

Willard was born in Alden, Iowa, July 31, 1921. He was raised in the rural Iowa Falls area in a loving family. He graduated from Iowa Falls High School in 1939 and was one of very few to receive the American Future Farmer degree in 1941.

In 1947, after serving two years with the Navy in the Pacific Philippines, Willard returned to the farm. He re-established his purebred Duroc herd for which he won many awards and was nationally recognized. He served as livestock judge at multiple state fairs, served as president of the Iowa Duroc Breeders Association and was named Master Iowa Purebred Seed Stock Producer.

Willard was also famous for athletic exploits on the fast-pitch softball diamond. As a third baseman, he was known for his speed, strong arm and mighty bat. At one tournament, he hit seven home runs while his future bride looked on.

Willard met Yvonne Erickson while she was pursuing a nursing degree in Des Moines; and on Dec. 5, 1948, they were united in marriage at the First Methodist Church in Des Moines.

As a servant to the community, Willard served on the board of the Farmers Cooperative Elevator, Hardin County REC board, Hardin County Farm and Home Administration, as well as chairman of the board at Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden.

After retirement, Willard and Yvonne spent a great deal of time at their cabin on Snow Lake, Manitoba, 450 miles north of Winnipeg in Canada. In later years, Willard spent more time hunting, fishing and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. In 1990, the couple moved to a farm near Ollie in southeastern Iowa. This move was a new and wonderful adventure. They made new friends and enjoyed their home, Church, land, pond and timber. Willard believed the laws of nature and the laws of God were the same, and he treasured them both. We will dearly miss our husband, brother, father and friend.

Willards memory is honored by his wife Yvonne of Ollie; two sons, Calvin and his wife Patty Klein of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mark Klein of Redondo Beach, Calif.; a daughter, Dr. Maureen Lundergan and her husband Dr. Stephen Tiffany of Salt Lake City, Utah; five grandchildren, Patrick Lundergan, Brinn Klein Hake, Kristan, Ashten and Travis Higbee; two sisters, Lois Klein Grua of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Ruth Klein Johnson of Marshalltown, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The funeral was held Aug. 27 at Prairie View Methodist Church near Ollie, with the Rev. Shirley Hoffman Will officiating. Burial was in Grant Center Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Iowa Falls.

Memorials have been established in Mr. Kleins name to Bucher Family Scholarship Fund and Hospice of Keokuk County.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2004