Kenneth Raymond Klein
KLEIN, DIETSCH, SULLIVAN, NEWTON, FERGUSON, WHETSTINE, FRUIN, HENNINGS
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 4/29/2024 at 08:04:18
Kenneth Raymond Klein, 85, of Iowa City, IA, passed away surrounded by his family, Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Mercy Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 26, 2024, at The Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood in Iowa City beginning at noon, followed by a Funeral Mass at 3 PM. A private family committal will be held at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Hills, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Foundation for the Iowa City School District, the Regina Foundation, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church (Iowa City).
Ken was born on November 14, 1938, in Iowa City, IA. He was the son of Raymond and Mildred (Dietsch) Klein. Ken lived in Hills until the age of 7 before moving to Jefferson Street in Iowa City, where he was excited to have indoor plumbing and loved playing and exploring Ralston Creek. As a kid, Ken always enjoyed being outdoors: playing sports, hunting, fishing and riding his bike all over Iowa City. This led to a life-long love of biking.
Ken graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1956 at the age of 17. He attended the University of Iowa while working various odd jobs, predominantly as a painter. At the U of I, Ken became a lifetime member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Furthering his education, Ken went to St. Ambrose College to become a seminarian. At Ambrose, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, but decided the seminary wasn’t for him. He returned to the University of Iowa to finish his teacher training, receiving his Master’s degree. It was at this time he met a nurse named Sue.
Ken was united in marriage to Sue Sullivan on February 1, 1964, in Marengo, IA. This past February, Ken and Sue celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Ken enjoyed the recent outpouring of cards and well wishes he and Sue received from their 60th anniversary card shower. Ken and Sue have four daughters: Beth, Kathie, Angela, and Jenny.
Ken began his teaching career at Regina High School before teaching at City High School for 35 years, retiring in 1999. Ken was a devoted Driver’s Education teacher who had high expectations for his students. It was difficult to receive an A, but we believe the streets of Iowa City are safer because of his instruction. Throughout Ken’s teaching career he also coached football, basketball, and golf.
Ken was an avid bicyclist. He completed 32 RAGBRAIs and three cross-country bike rides (2 west to east and one south to north). He loved the adventure, having a cold beer while talking to the locals and enjoyed seeing many different parts of our country. He biked up mountains, volcanos, through deserts and national parks and enjoyed every challenge.
Ken also enjoyed walking to daily mass, traveling with Sue, supporting his daughters and grandchildren in their activities, bow hunting and golfing with his personalized golf cart, he lovingly called Sally. It seems that no matter where Ken went, he’d see someone he knew, and would take the time to stop and talk. Ken was always happy to tell a story, give advice (solicited or not), or talk politics (even if it meant poking the bear).
Ken liked a routine. He was a morning person who enjoyed getting “up and after it” each day and fully believed that the early bird got the worm. Whether it was sitting in his tree as the sun rose, reserving the first tee time of the day or getting an early start on a bike ride, he was ready for the day and always had an agenda. Ken even took over his grandson’s paper route because he thought if he was up, he should be productive. Despite his hope that his daughters would adopt this same mindset, none of them ever shared his early morning ambition.
In 2006, Ken sustained a life-changing injury when he was thrown from his horse. Despite being paralyzed from the shoulders down, Ken kept a strong faith and never complained. He continued to enjoy the important parts of life; time with family, watching grandchildren grow, visits from friends and cheering on his Iowa Hawkeyes. The family will always cherish the 17 “bonus years” we had with Ken after his accident. We attribute his remarkable survival to the devoted, loving care of Sue. She is a saint in our eyes.
Ken was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. While we are sad he has left us, we know that he is riding his bike, playing golf, and waiting for the perfect buck to wander under his tree up in Heaven.
Ken is survived by his wife, Sue Klein; four daughters, Beth (Rick) Newton of Lehighton, PA, Kathie (Andy) Ferguson of Omaha, NE, Angela Klein (Jeff Whetstine) and Jenny (Geoff) Fruin both of Iowa City; eleven grandchildren, Wesley, Zachary, Ian, Haley, Jess, Paige, Josh, Drew, Calissa, Hadley and Paxton and a brand new great-grandson, Mac; three siblings, Joan Hennings of Davenport, IA, Jean Klein of Wheat Ridge, CO and Terry (Karen) Klein of Coralville, IA.
Ken would definitely want to thank the many doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who provided care through the last 17 years. We are all especially thankful to Dr. Craig Champion for his years of care and friendship.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, and his Uncle Walt.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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