Klemme, Wendall 1932-2008

KLEMME, OSTERTHUN, NIENKE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/31/2008 at 10:47:47

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 31, 2008

Wendall Klemme, 76, of Sheldon, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in McAllen, Texas.

Wendall Klemme was born May 14, 1932, in Akron, the son of Walter H. and Alma (Osterthun) Klemme. He attended a country grade school and graduated from Akron High School in 1950. Wendall joined the United States Air Force in February 1952 and was honorably discharged Feb. 29, 1960. He was in active service four years and inactive service four years.

He was united in marriage to Arlene Nienke Aug. 16, 1953, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ellsworth, Kan.

Wendall spent three months in England and two months in New Foundland on temporary duty while in the Air Force. He worked Civil Service in Wichita, Kan., and Sioux City. He then worked for Moorman Feeds for 37 years and retired in 1995.

Wendall and Arlene wintered in Texas for 13 years. He enjoyed golfing and playing pool.

Wendall will be remembered as a person who looked for the good in people and loved to laugh and make others laugh. He loved his family very much.

He served as Sunday school treasurer on the church council at Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron. He served on the church council at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon. He was a member of the American Legion for many years.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Arlene of Sheldon; his children: Cheryl Mydland of Sioux Falls, S.D., Terri Malenke of Sheldon, Mike (Robin) Klemme of Sioux Center; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 12 stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother: Darwyn (Betty) Klemme of Sioux City; and one sister: Elvira (Norman) Nielsen of Le Mars.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Ronald Klemme.

Funeral service was at 10 a.m. today (Wednesday) at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon with the Rev. Ron Nelson officiating. Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Sheldon. The Andringa Funeral Home Sheldon Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Casketbearers were Harold Sterk, Gerald Portz, Elmer Karley, Lenard Koch, Mark Malenke, Gary Malenke, Don Mastbergen and Gordon Pottebaum. Honorary casketbearers were his grandchildren, Staci Kleinhesselink, David Erkes, Kelly Wulf, Travis Klemme ad Taylor Klemme.