Kleene, Wilbert - 1915-1974

KLEENE, SCHOEP

Posted By: Linda Vander Linden - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/1/2010 at 15:45:41

Funeral services were held at the First Reformed Church here at 10:30 A.M., Friday, November 29 for Wilbert Kleene, 59, of Sioux Center, who died November 26 of injuries sustained in a truck accident near Pilger, Nebr., while enroute to Schuyler, Nebr., with a load of cattle.

Services were conducted by the Rev. Jack Boerigter and burial was in Carmel Cemetery with Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Kleene was born April 22, 1915 in Doon. He was married to Wilmina Schoep March 4, 1942, in Sioux Center. They have resided in various communities of Sioux County--Ireton, Hull and Sioux Center. Mr. Kleene had been employed the past several years at Co-op Gas and Oil Co. here.

He was a World War II veteran and a member of the American Legion.

Survivors include the widow; two daughters, Mrs. Vernon (Elaine) Hofkamp of Edgerton, Minn., and Mrs. Walter (Marlene) Baxter of Sioux Center, four sisters, Mrs. Clarence (Johanna) De Vos of Hull, Mrs. Arie (Ida) Vierhout of Hartley, Mrs. Elmer (Clara) Rosenboom of Rock Rapids and Mrs. Arthur (Anna) Johnson of George, and one grandchild.

Mr. Kleen was "relief" driving for Alvin Den Herder of Sioux Center, taking a semi-trailer load of cattle (34 head) to Schuyler when the mishap occurred on Highway 15 and 275 in Nebraska. He missed a turn. Cause of the accident was not definitely determined, but it is thought he might have dozed momentarily, or else that he simply did not see the highway turn in time (due to poor visibility) to manipulate it. The truck was totalled, 23 head of cattle were killed.

Source: Sioux Center News, December 4, 1974