Klemme, Leverne H. (1920-2007)

KLEMME, LYKKEN, HORNSTEIN, SWANSON, ABRAHAMSON, FLADOS, KINGSLEY

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/10/2008 at 08:35:26

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, November 19, 2007

Leverne H. Klemme, 87, of Akron, died Friday, Nov. 16, 2007 at the Akron Care Center in Akron.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Brule Creek Lutheran Church, rural Elk Point, S.D., with the Rev. Jared Rakness officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military rites conducted by the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron. Visitation will be after 3 p.m. today (Monday) with the family present after 5:30 p.m., and a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home -- Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the services on Monday at the church.

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From: Carlsen Funeral Home Website

Leverne H. Klemme, 87, of Akron, Iowa passed away Friday, November 16, 2007 at the Akron Care Center in Akron, Iowa.

Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at Brule Creek Lutheran Church, rural Elk Point, South Dakota. Reverend Jared Rakness will officiate. Burial will follow in the Parish cemetery with military rites conducted by the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron, Iowa. Visitations will be after 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 19, 2007 with the family present after 5:30 p.m., and a Prayer service at 6:30 p.m., all at Carlsen Funeral Home – Schroeder Chapel in Akron. Visitations will resume 1 hour prior to the services on Monday at the church.

Leverne Harold Klemme was born September 22, 1920 on the family farm near Nora, South Dakota, the son of Emil and Anna (Lykken) Klemme. He was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith. He attended Nora Country School and later Pleasant Hill Country School. He attended high school in Elk Point and graduated from Elk Point High School.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 30, 1943. He served his country during WWII as an Instructor Pilot for B-24s and B-32s at Tarrant Field in Fort Worth, Texas. While stationed in Texas, he was united in marriage to LaVonne Hornstein on May 6, 1944. He was honorably discharged on December 20, 1946. Following his discharge, they returned to Union County, South Dakota and farmed near Spink.

On May 2, 1951, Leverne was called back to service. He was an Aircraft Commander for B-29s stationed in San Antonio, Texas. He and his crew of 10 men were assigned to Yakota Air Force base in Tokyo, Japan. He and his bombing crew flew 35 missions over Korea, 7 of which were as a lead bomber. Together, he and his crew flew over 300 combat hours in Korea. On February 1, 1953, he was honorably discharged as a Captain. For his service to his country, he was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Air Medal with 1 Cluster.

After returning from the Korean Conflict, he and LaVonne farmed near Union Creek, South Dakota for 12 years. Later, they moved to the family farm of his parents near Spink, South Dakota. He and LaVonne farmed there for over 33 years. In 1999, they moved to their home in Akron.

Leverne was very active in church and community works. He was longtime member of Brule Creek Lutheran Church where he served on Church Council and was past Church Treasurer and Council President. He was President of the Brule Creek Cemetery Board. He was a 50 year member of the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 in Akron where he was Past Commander and Post Historian. He also served as Chairman of the School Board for Union County, South Dakota District 33. He served as President of the Cattle Feeder Association. He served on the Union County Extension Board. He was past President of the Union County Farm Bureau and former Vice President for the State of South Dakota Farm Bureau. He was a member of the Akron Lion’s Club.

Leverne enjoyed reading books about the Civil War era. He was very proud of his service to his country. He wrote and published a book about his military history during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed assembling and collecting models of the planes that he flew during his military service. He also enjoyed listening to Big band music from the 40’s and photography. But most all, he enjoyed the times spent with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his wife over 63 years, LaVonne of Akron; a son: Glen Klemme and his wife Vicki of Sioux Falls, SD; a daughter: Donna Swanson and her husband Verdell of Alcester, SD; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters: Luida Abrahamson of Akron and Marjorie Flados of Harlingen, TX; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister: Agnes Kinsley; and a daughter in law: Donna Rae Klemme.