Harry G. Kleffman
December 1, 1925 — September 7, 2018
Harry G. Kleffman, son of John and Frances (Rau) Kleffman, was born December 1, 1925 in Portsmouth, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School.
On January 2, 1950, Harry was united in marriage to Cecilia Reischl at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Six children were born to this union: Patricia, Kenneth, David, Joan, Leo, and Janet.
Harry was a humble, loving, kind and considerate man with a wonderful sense of humor that won the love and respect of all he encountered. He was an ambitious provider for his family and a great example of strong faith, how to love and how to laugh.
For 50 years Harry was a farmer - one who must be an artisan, a veterinarian, a carpenter, a weatherman, a mechanic, a capitalist and financier, a manager, a laborer, and a producer. His creativity and ingenuity always helped fixing whatever needed to be fixed.
In his 30 years of retirement, Harry enjoyed wood working, crafting replica models of all his tractors from memory. He enjoyed many mornings drinking coffee with friends at HyVee. He loved driving, especially across the US to see and enjoy his children and grandchildren. He also made it to Europe to explore his roots. When limited to his local area, Harry enjoyed the excitement of “Love and War”. His loves later in life were Burger King and Wheel of Fortune with a W and snacks.
Harry died on Friday, September 7, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa; attaining the age of ninety-two years, nine months and six days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Charles, siblings Ralph Kleffman, Harold Kleffman, Walter Kleffman, Norbert Kleffman, Charlotte McDermott, Alice Kleffman, and Richard Kleffman.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Cecilia Kleffman of Harlan, Iowa; children Patricia Mihina of Carol Stream, Illinois; Kenneth Kleffman of Glenwood, Iowa; David Kleffman and his wife Diane of Glenwood, Iowa; Joan and her husband James Herbst of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Leo Kleffman and his wife Tami of Omaha, Nebraska; Janet and her husband Gerald Mackenzie of Novato, California; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sister Mary Ann and her husband Leon Schueller of Dawson, Minnesota; brother Rev. James Kleffman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
On January 2, 1950, Harry was united in marriage to Cecilia Reischl at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Six children were born to this union: Patricia, Kenneth, David, Joan, Leo, and Janet.
Harry was a humble, loving, kind and considerate man with a wonderful sense of humor that won the love and respect of all he encountered. He was an ambitious provider for his family and a great example of strong faith, how to love and how to laugh.
For 50 years Harry was a farmer - one who must be an artisan, a veterinarian, a carpenter, a weatherman, a mechanic, a capitalist and financier, a manager, a laborer, and a producer. His creativity and ingenuity always helped fixing whatever needed to be fixed.
In his 30 years of retirement, Harry enjoyed wood working, crafting replica models of all his tractors from memory. He enjoyed many mornings drinking coffee with friends at HyVee. He loved driving, especially across the US to see and enjoy his children and grandchildren. He also made it to Europe to explore his roots. When limited to his local area, Harry enjoyed the excitement of “Love and War”. His loves later in life were Burger King and Wheel of Fortune with a W and snacks.
Harry died on Friday, September 7, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa; attaining the age of ninety-two years, nine months and six days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Charles, siblings Ralph Kleffman, Harold Kleffman, Walter Kleffman, Norbert Kleffman, Charlotte McDermott, Alice Kleffman, and Richard Kleffman.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years Cecilia Kleffman of Harlan, Iowa; children Patricia Mihina of Carol Stream, Illinois; Kenneth Kleffman of Glenwood, Iowa; David Kleffman and his wife Diane of Glenwood, Iowa; Joan and her husband James Herbst of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Leo Kleffman and his wife Tami of Omaha, Nebraska; Janet and her husband Gerald Mackenzie of Novato, California; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; sister Mary Ann and her husband Leon Schueller of Dawson, Minnesota; brother Rev. James Kleffman of Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.
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