Klein, Marcel H. (1923-2008)

KLEIN, KOKENGE, GOEGRGEN, RUDEN, WANDERSCHEID, BUNKERS, RODER, WILTGEN, BALLARD

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2008 at 13:33:43

LeMars Sentinel, Monday, May 5, 2008

Marcel H. Klein, 85, of Granville, died Thursday, May 1, 2008, at Prairie View Home in Sanborn.

Marcel H. Klein was born Jan. 5, 1923, at rural Granville, the son of Theodore and Frances (Kokenge) Klein. Marcel was raised in the Granville area and received his education in both the rural school system and St. Joseph Catholic School in Granville. He then assisted his father in farming.

On April 7, 1945 he was inducted into the U. S. Army at Ft. Snelling, Minn., and received his basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark. On Oct. 24, 1945 he married Ann Goergen at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. In November 1945 they moved to Greater Little Rock, Ark., where Marcel was stationed in the military service. In April of 1946, Ann moved back to the Granville area and Marcel finished his military obligation at Fort Knox, Ky., where he was a regiment mail clerk. On Oct. 18, 1946 he was honorably discharged and then returned to Granville.

The couple farmed near Granville, retiring on the farm in 1990. Ann died Sept. 5, 2001. Marcel had been a resident of Prairie View Home since March 6, 2006.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville, Farm Bureau and Two Cylinder Club. He was an avid collector of both toy and real John Deere tractors. He was a great story teller and many will always cherish those stories for years to come. He enjoyed animals, especially cats, going to many threshing bees and always loved a good steak. His biggest enjoyment, however, was his family. Family get-togethers were always his favorite, being with family and lots of good food.

Survivors include five sons, Don, and Dave and his wife Jeanie all of Sioux Falls, S.D,, Walt and his wife Paula of Spencer, Mike and his wife Elaine of Sioux City, and John and his wife Rose of Omaha, Neb.; three daughters, Susie and her husband Mark Ruden of Le Mars, Karen Klein of Glenwood, and Debbie and her husband Steve Wanderscheid of Sheldon; 22 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers and their wives, Jim and Angie of Granville, Merlyn and Jan of Le Mars; three sisters, Verna Bunkers and Clarice and her husband Gerald Roder, all of Granville, Lois and her husband Gene Wiltgen of Carlsbad, Calif.; and one sister-in-law, Jean and her husband Ron Ballard of Carroll.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas; one brother-in-law, Jerome "Tony" Bunkers; and one sister-in-law, Jeanne Klein.

Funeral service was at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville with the Rev. Richard D. Ball officiating. Burial was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Granville with gravesite military rites condcted by VFW Post 5347 of Granville. Visitation was after 4 p.m. Sunday, with a rosary at 5 p.m. by St. Joseph Guild and a vigil prayer service at 7:30 p.m., all at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. The Fisch Funeral Home of Remsen was in charge of arrangements.

Casket bearers were his grandsons, Kasey Klein, David Klein Jr., Andrew Klein, Jonathan Ruden, Anthony Klein, Matthew Wanderscheid.