Arnold Klink (1918-2011)

KLINK, LEISTIKOW, STEPHAN, WESTON, SMITH

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 8/7/2012 at 21:14:51

From Stevens Memorial Chapel obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Arnold Klink
April 17, 1918 - February 10, 2011
Obituary

Arnold Klink, 92, died Thursday, February 10, 2011, at home in Ames with his son and daughter-in-law at his bedside. Visitation will be Friday, February 18, 2011 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 19, 2011 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Ames, Iowa at 10:30 a.m. with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at Ames Municipal Cemetery with full military rites.

Arnold Klink was born on the family farm in rural Stanley, in northeast Iowa, on April 17, 1918, to Edward and Amelia (Leistikow) Klink. He joined one sister Caroline. He graduated in 1936 from Stanley Consolidated High School.
Arnold began serving in the military starting with the U.S. Navy 1937-1941. He was a radio operator and became a petty officer 2nd class. He served on the USS Maryland and the USS Lea.

Upon returning home, Arnold attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. Then, he served in the Army during WWII 1942-1946 in various positions including First Sergeant, Company Commander, and training and inspections officer. In 1945, Arnold served in a detached service with the Marines, in Quantico, Virginia and at Coronado Naval Base, doing amphibious training for a special rescue mission of a captured general. He graduated from Stanford University in 1950. Again, Arnold served his country during the Korean War, serving in the Army 1950-1952. He served as Commanding Officer of a company of 600 men and was battalion athletics officer, coach and physical education instructor. He received commendations for improving morale and for best marching company.
On April 11, 1953, Arnold married Anne "June" Stephan near Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. They moved to Iowa and had 2 children Barbara and Bill.

Arnold attended law school at the University of Iowa. He was a math, social studies, and history teacher and administrator in high schools in Hopkinton (Maquoketa Valley), Grinnell, Burlington (Notre Dame), and Stratford, Iowa. He coached basketball, track, cross country, golf, and touch football. After teaching, Arnold worked 10 years as a steelworker for Modern Farms System in Webster City. In Ames, Arnold may be known best from his years at Walmart where he worked for 19 years most recently as a greeter. Due to declining heath, reluctantly, Arnold finally retired at the age of 91.

After heart bypass surgery at 80, Arnold began his "cardiac rehab program," swimming 100 days every summer in his outdoor pool through age 91. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW. His family will miss his humor, stories, outings to Golden Corral and Burger King, and his discussions on politics, the military, current events, and his life story.

Arnold is survived by a daughter, Barbara Klink, Ridgewood, New Jersey, a son, Bill (Kathy) Klink, Ames, Iowa and six nieces and nephews. Arnold was preceded in death by his wife Anne in 1996, parents, sister, Caroline Weston, and niece Shirley Smith.

Condolences may be sent to www.stevensmemorialchapel.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Stevens Memorial Chapel, Ames, IA.

http://www.stevensmemorialchapel.com/
 

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