Klosterboer, Edward John 1923-2011
KLOSTERBOER, KNOCK, WALTER, MULLINS, BRANDSMEIER, WESTERMAN, WECKERLY
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/9/2013 at 16:23:04
Source: Decorah Journal November 3, 2011
Edward Klosterboer
Edward John Klosterboer’s remains were laid to rest Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, at Phelps Cemetery in Decorah until the Day of Resurrection. Memorials may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or Lutheran Services of Iowa.
Edward was born on a farm near Grundy Center Oct. 6, 1923, to Onno and Effie (Knock) Klosterboer. Ed became a child of God through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Bethany Presbyterian Church of Grundy Center Dec. 23, 1923. Pastor Henry F. Sinning presided.
When Ed started kindergarten at age seven he could only speak low German. Throughout his school years he especially enjoyed participating in sports. He graduated from Grundy Center High School May 21, 1942. During his youth he worked detassling corn, making hay, doing chores for area farmers, delivering papers and helping to build the track around the old high school.
In the fall of 1942, Ed enrolled at Luther College and played football and basketball, lettering in football his freshman year. He enlisted in the Army on the Luther campus Dec. 7, 1942. Ed served in North Africa; Salerno and Anzio, Italy, receiving two bronze stars and two purple hearts.
After being honorably discharged Feb. 12, 1946, Ed returned home to Grundy Center. Shortly thereafter he was elected as the county recorder of Grundy County, an office he held for 11 years. He met Florene Walter of Farmersburg, and they were married at St. John Lutheran Church in Farmersburg May 23, 1948. Pr. Richard Steege officiated. Ed and Flo made their first home in Grundy Center, where Ed served on the church council several times. After resigning as county recorder in 1959, Ed and Flo purchased the bowling alley in New Hampton (continuing his interest in sports). A few years later he was hired to manage the bowling alley and recreation center in the Luther College student union.
Throughout most of his working career Ed held “moonlight” jobs, which included (even more) detassling, mowing lawns, managing a swimming pool and concession stand and selling monuments. He ended his working career after 13 years as a revenue agent for the state of Iowa.
Through their life together Ed and Flo lived in Grundy Center, New Hampton, Cedar Falls and Decorah. In 1963 Ed and his family joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. Flo once wrote of him, “You never had to wake Ed up to go to church on Sunday morning.”
In later years, Ed and Flo enjoyed wintering in Florida. Neighborhood get-togethers with friends on Rural Avenue in Decorah brought them much joy. And of course, Ed seized many opportunities to trout fish and pheasant hunt.
He is survived by his wife, Florene; their three children: James (and Laurel) of Elkader; Lisa (and Susan Mullins) of Dedham, Mass.; and John (and Jana) of Decorah; grandchildren Jesse, Sara, Zoe, and Eli; great-grandson Axel Brandsmeier; as well as brother, Vernon (and Esther) Klosterboer of Grundy Center; and sister, Dorothy (and Jasper) Westerman of Holland.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Onno and Effie; a brother, Harlan; and a sister, IvaDean Weckerly.
Transcribed from a newspaper clipping submitted by Janice Sowers.
Phelps Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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