KLIEN, William Henry – 1880-1942

KLIEN, POOL, DYKEMA, JESKOIT, SIVIENINK

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 9/22/2008 at 20:18:36

William Henry Klein passed away at a hospital in Lennox, South Dakota on February 4, 1942 at the age of 61 years, 2 months and 9 days. Funeral services were held in Jacobsen hall on Sunday, February 8, 1942. It was estimated that the attendance numbered approximately 600 and not only seating capacity was fully used by standing room was also used and many found places in the balcony.

He was born October 26, 1880 in Deventer, Netherlands. On his sixth birthday he arrived in America and grew to manhood in Sioux county, Iowa.

In 1906 he was united in marriage to Marie Pool at Chancellor, South Dakota. They lived in Dalton, Iowa, the first year and one half after their marriage where Mr. Klein was the manager of the Atlas elevator. The next year he was engaged in the grocery business at Chancellor, South Dakota. After a year he moved to Nemaha, Iowa where he was employed by the Button Elevator Company. In 1912 he was transferred to Inwood, Lyon county, Iowa, where they have since resided.

He has been manager of the Quaker Oats Company here for the past 12 years.

Mr. Klein has been active in the community affairs of Inwood. He was a charter member of the Inwood fire department in 1912. He has served on the city council and held the position of Mayor for nine years.

Those remaining to mourn his death are his wife, a niece, Henrietta Hiemstra and a nephew, William Klein, Jr., who have made their home with them since 1921. Three brothers, Chris of Portland, Oregon, Henry of Alton, Iowa, Alexander of Hospers, Iowa; two sisters, Mrs. William Jeskoit of Alton, and Mrs. Minnie Dykema of Sheldon, Iowa. Also may other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. T. Dykema and Mrs. George Sivienink and one brother, Joe.

Following the reading of the obituary, a very fervent prayer was made by Emil Kirschmann.

Another solo “Peace I Leave With You” by Dr. Slade closed the service.

The floral offerings were ample and were in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Brown and Mrs. Harry White as a flower committee.

The pallbearers were Cliff Pruitt, Andrew Christiansen, Alfred Pedersen, Robert Brown, Olof Leivestad, Neal Boersma, City Clerk and Councilmen of Inwood.

Interment was had in Richland cemetery, east of Inwood.

William H. Klein was very much a part of Inwood. His daily thought and care was for the betterment of Inwood and he was particularly proud of the securing and completion of the new city well. Although all his relatives are buried elsewhere, his body has found repose in a grave in the community which he loved so well and served so faithfully. That he will be missed greatly in the community will be more fully realized as time goes on. William H. Klein was a good man, he lived a religion every day that expanded personal effort and strength for the benefit of other and promoted a spirit of goodwill, fellowship and kindliness.

He favored and supported every public endeavor the benefit and good of the community. He was still in the prime of life and usefulness when stricken by illness. Inwood could ill afford to lose so good and useful a citizen.

(From the Inwood Herald – February 12, 1942)