Melvina Gertrude Klaassen

Little Rock, IA Melvina G. Klaassen, age 66 of Sibley, IA died Thursday, October 2, 2008 at Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, Oct. 6th at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock, IA, with Rev. Brian Hellenga officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery at Little Rock, IA. Visitation will be Sunday, Oct. 5th from 2 " 8 PM, with the family present from 6 " 8 PM at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. Melvina Gertrude Klaassen was born October 8, 1941 in Little Rock, Iowa, the daughter of John and Carrie (Gruis) Nagel. She grew up near Little Rock and attended country school Elgin #4 until the completion of 5th grade and the school was closed. She then attended Little Rock Elementary and graduated from Little Rock High School in 1959. After her education she began working at Joy Lunch as a waitress in Rock Rapids and then worked for the Osceola Coop Creamery in Sibley, IA. She was united in marriage to Robert Klaassen on October 21, 1960 at Bethel Reformed Church in Ellsworth, MN. In 1963 she ended her employment at the creamery to stay home and raise a family. In 1974, after all their children were in school she began working at the Little Rock Community School as a secretary in the superintendents office. In 2002, Melvina was diagnosed with cancer and retired from the school on June 30, 2003. During this time she became very active with Relay for Life in Lyon county. Melvina enjoyed her retirement doing all the things she didnt have time to do during her working years. Special joys in her life were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, going to as many of their activities as possible. Melvina and Robert spent many evening at Rock Rapids Speedway and Husets Speedway in Brandon, SD following their grandson. Took several family vacations during the summer to Cuttys Resort, as well as Branson, MO. In 2005, Melvinas family celebrated Christmas at the Wisconsin Dells. There were other trips taken with friends, such as Verlyn and Betty Venenga and Labor Day Weekends with Cliff and Sharon Schilling. Melvinas family will remember their wife, mother, grandmother, as a strong woman, whose struggle with her disease never changed her outlook on life and the amazing love and support she gave to her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Robert Klaassen of Sibley, IA; four children, Travis (and Joanne) Klaassen of Sibley, IA, Darcy (and John) Kellen of Rushmore, MN, Dawn (and Layton) Arends of Little Rock, IA, and Doreen (and Curtis) Krahling of Ashton, IA; fifteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Klaas (and Diane) Nagel of Little Rock, IA and Gerald (and Jane) Nagel of Hartley, IA; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Carrie Nagel.