Gary E. KLATT

KLATT, CLAUDE, RIEHLE, ADAMS, MORALES, FOLKERTS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/22/2015 at 14:32:57

June 13, 1952 --- August 19, 2015

Gary E. Klatt, 63, of Steamboat Rock, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a brief illness. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 24th at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Eldora with Pastors Harrison Lippert and Bruce Baillie officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 23rd from 5 to 7 PM at the Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora. Burial will follow the funeral service at the Steamboat Rock Cemetery with full military honors performed by the Hoover-Eiserman American Legion Post #542.

Gary was born on June 13, 1952, in Eldora, Iowa, the son of Robert & Betty (Claude) Klatt. A lifelong Steamboat Rock resident, he attended school there, graduating with the class of 1970. After high school, Gary enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Michigan for 4 years. Gary was united in marriage to Patsy Folkerts and the couple welcomed son Daniel & daughter Kathryn. The two later divorced. He worked for Luiken & Sons, traveling and checking floor inventory. Trans-America later bought out Luiken and sons and Gary continued working there until he became disabled and could no longer work. For many years, Gary became very ill and had to have both a heart and kidney transplant. Gary then became very active with the Iowa Donor Network, educating driver's education students on the importance of donation and he also began speaking, encouraging and educating those who were on the 'waiting list' for their own transplant. In 2009, Gary was blessed to find love again. He married Susan Adams at the First Presbyterian Church of Steamboat Rock.

He was a member of the Steamboat Rock Baptist Church, the Steamboat Rock Hoover-Eiserman American Legion Post #542, where he served as Commander, was a former city council member, President Steamboat Rock Pride & Betterment Club, and attended the First Baptist Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Steamboat Rock. Gary also was always very active in his community and always wanted to help others. He would be the 'chauffer' every year for the elderly for the annual Sweetheart Dinner and he would offer to drive and get groceries for those who had a hard time getting around. He was a very selfless human being and just like he gave in life, he gave in death. Gary became a donor for the Iowa Donor network, an organization he was so proud to be a part of. Gary also enjoyed fishing but what he most enjoyed doing was spending time with those he loved, especially his grandchildren and his best friend and companion, Freckles.

He is survived by his mother Betty Klatt of Dows, IA; wife Susan Klatt of Steamboat Rock; children Daniel (Amy) Klatt of Wheatland, IA and Kathryn (James) Riehle of Decorah, IA; step-children Jared (Marisela) Adams of CA and Jeremy (Kisa) Adams of Colorado; grandchildren Chase & Brayden Klatt; step-grandchildren Schaad, Sophia & Sara Adams, Ivonne & Andy Morales and Emma Adams; brother Larry (Tammy) Klatt of Dows; niece Jessica Klatt of Dows; special companion, his dog Freckles. Gary was preceded in death by his father Robert; brother Terry Klatt; grand dog Abbie.

www.abelsfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Gary-E.-Klatt/Steamboat-Rock-IA/1537881