Klein, Eugene A. "Gene" 1920-1965

KLEIN, GEBAUER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Source: Alton Democrat (8-26-1965)

Born: February 5, 1920
Died: August 19, 1965

EUGENE A. KLEIN, WILL KNOWN DECORATOR, PASSES AWAY

The Alton community, plus hundreds of friends throughout this area, were saddened late Thursday by the unexpected passing of Eugene A. Klein, 45, well known painter and decorator who was taken ill with a heart attack at his home Thursday morning and died at the Orange City Hospital the same evening, August 19.

Born at Alton February 5, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. Alex Klein, he lived there for only two years. His parents then moved to Hospers where he attended school. He started his trade of painting at the age of 16 when he began to assist his father, who was also a painter.

In 1941 he entered the military service and during World War II served 49 months. He served overseas in the China, Burma, India, war theater for two years. He married Shirley Gebauer of Alton June 4, 1942 at Wichita Falls, Texas where he was with the Air Corps at Shepard Field. After his release from the Air Corps the couple settled at Alton where they have since lived.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, two daughters and a son: Sandra, now Mrs. Earl Parsons of Algona, Brenda and Tim at home; by his mother, Mrs. Alex Klein of Hospers and a sister, Mrs. Okko Roos of Boyden. His father died last year.

He was a member of the local Reformed Church, where the funeral services were held Monday morning, August 23, at 9:30 o’clock, Reverend Clarence Greving officiating. Rodney Jiskoot of Northwestern College faculty was organist and a male quartet, Stewart De Groot, Robert De Boer, Peter Harmelink and Ray Schreur, sang two numbers.

Honorary pallbearers were Mayor Dave Crockett and Willard Marra. Acting pallbearers were Don Streeter of Sioux Falls, Jim Oldenkamp of Sioux City, Howard Ruisch, Maurice, Frank Vogel, Orange City, E.J. (Bud) Aalbers and Clarence Mousel of Alton. Interment was in Nassau Township Cemetery.

Here from a distance for the services were Gus Gebauer of Lakewood, California; Julius Gebauer, Orange City, California; Mr. and Mrs. Claude Bills, Newton; Bob Klein of Des Moines; Mrs. Bill Klein and Mrs. Marie Klein, Sioux Falls, Dale Thompson and family of Ringsted; and hundreds of others from the surrounding area.

Gene, as known to his many friends, was a devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, and a perfectionist at his trade, taking great pride in his work and the opportunities to beautify his home and his town, as well as surrounding communities where his reputation as a skilled decorator preceded him. His current project was the interior decorating of the new girls dormitory and union for Northwestern College. He recently completed a beautiful interior project at the local bank.