Klohs, Marland "Whitey" (1927-2006)

KLOHS, LEWIS, EILERS

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/31/2007 at 10:18:20

Marland 'Whitey' Klohs
LeMars Sentinel,Monday, June 19, 2006

Marland "Whitey" Klohs, 78, of Le Mars, died Thursday, June 15, 2006, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.

Marland Duane Klohs was born Dec. 24, 1927, at Aberdeen, S.D., the son of William and Lowell (Lewis) Klohs. At the age of 5, he moved with his parents to a farm in Marion Township, east of Le Mars. Whitey attended country school and later graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1946. Whitey was united in marriage to Joanne Eilers on Dec. 26, 1948, in Le Mars. They farmed for 42 years, retiring in 1989.

In 1982, he and his sons established the Boat Farm which continues to operate on the family farm.

He was active with the Extension Council and was a 4-H leader for many years. He served on the Plymouth County Fair Board for 25 years and was chairman for 13 years. He was very instrumental with celebrating Christmas at Pioneer Village at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds.

Whitey enjoyed the outdoors, whether hunting or fishing. He was a member of the Le Mars Sportsman's Club and the Plymouth County Chapter of Pheasants Forever where he was honored with the Plymouth County Conservationist of the Year Award in 2004.

He was a longtime member St. John's Lutheran Church in Le Mars, and a member of the L & O Investment Club. Whitey enjoyed collecting belt buckles, farm toys, growing roses, woodcarving, and being a Wells' Dairy ice cream tester. He looked forward to having coffee with his friends at Hy-Vee and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Whitey and Joanne enjoyed their lake home on Lake Okoboji, especially entertaining family and friends.

For the past two years, Whitey has been working at fulfilling a dream of having a dialysis center in Le Mars. The family has asked that memorials be directed towards the Le Mars Area Dialysis Center Fund Drive.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Joanne of Le Mars; four sons, Kirk and Bonnie Klohs, Dave and Becky Klohs, Scott Klohs, and Bill and Connie Klohs; nine grandchildren: Kelly Grady and her husband Shandy, Kevin Klohs and his wife Johnna, Tracy Anderson and her husband Chris, Travis Klohs and his wife Katie, Cortney and Bailey Klohs, Chris Klohs, Sherri Durst and her husband Jason, and Mindi Klohs; four great-grandchildren: Nick and Isaiah Grady, James Durst, and Bransen Klohs; two sisters-in-law, Dolores Klohs of Penn Valley, Calif., and Elaine Freed of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Whitey was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lowell (Lewis) Klohs; and a brother, Murle Klohs.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Burial was in Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural Le Mars. Visitation was after 3 p.m. Sunday at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present to greet friends after 5 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. prayer service. Visitation continued Monday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers were his four sons. Kirk, Dave, Scott, and Bill Klohs and grandsons, Chris, Travis, and Kevin Klohs.