Kleihauer, Gerhard Otto "Ottie" 1921-2014

KLEIHAUER, DIRKS, DRISCOLL, LUNDGREN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/15/2020 at 12:04:42

Obituary:
Gerhard Otto "Ottie" KLEIHAUER

Ottie Kleihauer, 93, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away November 9, 2014, at Floyd Valley Hospital, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 14, 2014, at Christ Lutheran Church, Grant Township, rural Le Mars, with Reverend Ben Worley officiating. Interment with military honors provided by the Heeren-McHale-Wilken American Legion #724 will follow at the Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be after 4:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13, 2014, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Orban, Brian Orban, Eric Orban, Adam Orban, Joel Orban, and Glenn Moller.

Gerhard Otto “Ottie” Kleihauer was born October 23, 1921, on the family farm in rural Grant Township to Henry and Hannah (Dirks) Kleihauer.

He attended the Grant Township Country School until 8th grade and later received his GED.

He served his country during World War II in the US Army from August 1942 until his honorable discharge in January of 1945. Ottie served in England, France, Belgium, and was present at the Battle of the Bulge.

Ottie was united in marriage to Marilyn Driscoll on April 10, 1949, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Marilyn passed away December 5, 1989.

He later married Jeannine (Lundgren) on December 13, 1991.

Ottie farmed the family farm in rural Grant Township until 1992. He raised crops, cattle, and hogs. In his early retirement years, he continued to help on the farm. In 2002 Jeannine and Ottie moved off the family farm into Brunsville, Iowa.

He enjoyed farming, gardening, and socializing. He especially loved dancing and music, and taught his daughter many dance steps throughout her childhood. He was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran, having been baptized and confirmed there. He was a member of the Heeren-McHale-Wilken American Legion #724 of Brunsville.

Surviving are his daughter Susan (Kenny) Orban of Le Mars; grandsons, Brian Orban of Le Mars, Eric Orban of Le Mars, Adam (Jill) Orban of Orange City, IA, and Joel Orban of Le Mars; brother, Albert (Millie) Kleihauer of Cherokee, Iowa; brother-in-law, Jim (Bonnie) Driscoll of Le Mars; four great-grandkids, Owen, Ethan, Natalie, and Isaac Orban of Orange City, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

Ottie was proceeded in death by his parents, Henry and Hannah Kleihauer; first wife, Marilyn (Driscoll) Kleihauer on December 5, 1989; second wife, Jeannine (Lundgren) Kleihauer on May 12, 2013; siblings, Annie (John) Plueger, Jack Kleihauer, Mary (Fred Livermore and later Cletus Wiebersch), Matie (Bob) Ruble, Etta (Henry) Beitelspacher, Henry (Jean) Kleihauer, Emma (Fred) Harms, Lillian (John) Moller, and Johann Kleihauer in infancy.