Kleveland, Charles L. (1932-2013)

KLEVELAND, TORKELSON, THOMPSON, CHRISTOFFERSON, KOONTZ, LEE

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 10/30/2013 at 12:09:23

Charles L. Kleveland
September 1, 1932 - October 16, 2013

FOREST CITY - Charles LeRoy Kleveland, 81, of Forest City, went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, October 16, 2013, at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Chuck was born on September 1, 1932, to Elias and Mabel (Torkelson) Kleveland on their farm near Hardy, Iowa. Baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church near Hardy, he attended country school and then graduated from Humboldt High School in 1952. He worked with his father on the family farm before being drafted into the Army in 1953. After completing his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas, he was stationed at Fairford Air Force Base in England. There he served as a smoke generator operator with the peace-keeping forces during the Korean conflict. After his honorable discharge in 1955, he returned home where he farmed with his Dad and worked at the Agrico Fertilizer Plant in Humboldt, Iowa.

On June 19, 1960, Chuck married Carol Thompson at Badger Lutheran Church in Badger, Iowa. He and Carol lived near Badger until the spring of 1962 when they moved to a farm near Kensett, Iowa. In 1966, they purchased a farm near Fertile where they became hog and dairy farmers, an occupation they pursued until 1990 when they moved to a home in Forest City. During his years farming, Chuck also worked at Winnebago Industries for ten years. After moving into Forest City, he worked in the maintenance department at Waldorf College for fourteen years. Because he enjoyed carpentry, he began doing construction, working with his sons, Tim and Jody, after he retired from Waldorf.

A member of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church near Joice, Iowa, for many years, Chuck served as a member of the Board of Trustees, Sunday School Superintendent, and in the youth ministries with Carol. He also worked with the Gideons for several years. After moving to Forest City, he and Carol joined the First Congregational Church where he served on the Board of Deacons. He really enjoyed music and participated in the Bethel Male Quartet. Moreover, he, Carol, and the children, the “Kleveland Family Singers,” ministered in music at several local churches for many years.

After returning from active military service in 1956, Chuck accepted Jesus as his Savior. He loved and served the Lord, setting a strong Christian example for his children and grandchildren, who remained dear to his heart. He treasured the time he spent with his family, traveling and vacationing with them over the years. He also enjoyed his daily visits with the "guys" at Hardees.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Carol Kleveland, of Forest City; their children and their spouses, Tim (Deb) Kleveland, of Fertile, Iowa, Tammy (Mark) Christofferson, Belgrade, Montana, Joy (Mike) Koontz, of Monroe, Washington, Jody (Mary Lou) Kleveland, of Forest City, Iowa, and Jeff (Lynn) Kleveland, of Meridian, Idaho; sixteen grandchildren, Elias and Emily Christofferson; Erin, Greta, James (Rebecca), Jessica, Joshua, Josiah, Kade, Liesl, Luke, Madison, and Meggie Kleveland; and Tiana, Tiffany, and Tyler Koontz; and his brothers-in-law, Gene (Norma) Larson, of Humboldt, Iowa, and Russell (Helen) Lee, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; as well as by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Mabel Kleveland; an infant sister, Lorraine Caroline; a brother, Leonard; and two sisters, Lorraine and Elaine.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, October 21, 2013, at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Joice, Iowa, with Pastor Kevin Olson officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Lutheran Brethren Cemetery in Joice, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, October 20, 2013, with Memory Time at 6:45 PM at the Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark Street, Forest City, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Copyright © 2013, Petersen Lund Funeral Home

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