Klein, Sylvester "Vess", 1926-2005

KLEIN, HOFFMAN

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/24/2015 at 10:08:25

Born: November 20, 1926 Granville, Iowa
Died: February 10, 2006 Sibley, Iowa

Sylvester "Vess" Klein, 78, Ashton, died Thursday, February 10, at Viola House in Sibley.

Services were Monday, February 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashton, with Father Clair Boes officiating.

Burial was at the church cemetery, under the direction of Walton-Roste Funeral Home in Ashton.

Vess Klein, son of Theodor and Mary (Hoffman) Klein, was born November 20, 1926, in Granville. He and his family moved in 1936 to Ashton, where he attended at St. Joseph's Catholic School. After completing his education, he worked on the family farm with his father.

As World War II was ending, he was drafted in September 1945 and served his country in the U. S. Army until his honorable discharge in January 1947. He farmed near Ashton for the next 29 years. He took a job in 1976 with Hallett Construction Company, operating a loader until he retired. As his health declined, he became a resident at Viola House in Sibley in December 2003.

He was a longtime resident of Ashton and enjoyed his daily routine of coffee at Pete's with his friends and Monday evenings with his regular pinochle friends.

He was an active member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a 50 year member of the Knights of Columbus and served on the Ashton Voluteer Fire Department.

Survivors include three sisters, twin Sylvia and Ed Blocker of Bancroft, Angela Dummett of Britt, and Christina Houwen of Ashton; two brothers, Leo and Margie Klein of Ashton, and Richard and Georgia Klein of Clermont; and a sister-in-law, Sally Klein of Ashton.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, Edwin "Chuck" Klein, Andrew Klein, Lewis Klein, and Marvin Klein; a sister-in-law, Joan Klein; and two brothers-in-law, Bill Dummett and Bill Houwen.

Source: Northwest Iowa Review 2/19/2005