Klein, Melvin "Jim" 1918-2009

KLEIN, GEHRENS, RICKE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 10/19/2009 at 18:38:46

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, October 19, 2009

Melvin "Jim" Klein, 90, of Remsen, died Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, at Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen, after a lengthy battle with leukemia.

Jim was born Nov. 22, 1918, in rural Remsen, the son of Michael and Anna (Gehrens) Klein. He was raised in the Remsen area and received his education at both rural school and St. Mary's Catholic School in Remsen. After school he farmed with his father and was also a hired hand.

He entered the U. S. Army on Jan. 22, 1942, serving in Hawaii and was honorably discharged on Oct. 17, 1945. After the service Jim started Klein Trucking and Corn Shelling, and shortly after he started farming on his own.

On Oct. 6, 1947, Jim married Kathleen Ricke at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. Then in 1954, he started Klein Real Estate and Auction Company in Remsen. Jim retired in 1984.

He entered Happy Siesta Jan. 14, 2004. Kathleen died Sept. 1, 2009.

Jim enjoyed playing the harmonica, fishing, golfing, playing cards and attending his grandchildren's events.

Jim was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen, V.F.W Post 3328, and American Legion Post 220 of Remsen, Knights of Columbus, Remsen Lions Club and Remsen Chamber of Commerce. Jim also coached several baseball teams including the pee-wees, midgets, American Legion and the Remsen Town Team.

Survivors include two sons: Michael Klein and his wife, Linda and James Klein and his wife, Susan, all of Remsen; three daughters: Mary Wurth and her husband, Wayne of Yankton, S.D., Barbara O'Rourke and her husband Kevin of Cedar Falls, and Ann Konz and her husband, James of Overland Park, Kan.; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Elnora Kelsey of Storm Lake, Kathleen Hansen of Waterloo, and Marcella Weber and her husband, Ed of North Hills, Calif.; one brother-in-law, Vernon Ricke and his wife, Leona of Sheldon; three sisters-in-law, Jill Klein of Lincoln, Calif., Clarice Schmit and her husband, Cyril and Jeanette Ricke, all of Remsen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, Ray Klein and his wife, Carman, Martin Klein and his wife, Clara, Elmer Klein and his wife, Melinda, Joe Klein and his wife, Jean, Irvin Klein; one sister, Sylvia Roder and her husband, Al; five brothers-in-law, Dr. William Kelsey, Ambrose Hansen, Robert Ricke and his wife Kathleen, Omar Ricke and his wife Leola, Clarence Ricke; and one sister-in-law, Helen Plathe and her husband, Ferd.

Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. today (Monday) at St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial was in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Remsen. Graveside military honors were conducted by V.F.W. Post 3328, and American Legion Post 220 of Remsen.

Visitation was after 2 p.m. Sunday. There was a parish rosary at 3 p.m., and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus rosary, all at the Fisch Funeral Home & Monument in Remsen.

Casketbearers were Jennifer, Jesse, Jacob and Justin Wurth, Matthew and Anna Klein, Amy Pick, Jonathan and Emily Klein, Amanda and Megan Konz.

Honorary bearers were members of the Knights of Columbus.