Kenneth E Klaassen

George, IA Kenneth E. Klaassen, age 90 of George, IA died Friday, February 18, 2011 at Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, Feb. 23rd at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA, with Pastor Bryan Anderson and Pastor Ory Meinerts officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, with Full Military Honors by Jack Sauter Post No. 404 American Legion of George. Visitation will be Tuesday, Feb. 22nd from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA. Jurrens Funeral Home of George, IA is in charge of services. Kenneth Eldon Klaassen was born June 29, 1920, to Harm and Reka (Abels) Klaassen who lived on a farm east of George, Iowa. He attended Grant Township #5 Country School through the seventh grade. In 1941, Ken enrolled in an eight week training course in Omaha, NE, to become an airplane mechanic. It was through this school that he was hired to assemble planes in San Diego, CA. In August of 1942, he was drafted into the US Army. He had been dating Mary Vust from Little Rock, IA, and while in basic training at Durham, NC, they were united in marriage on December 7, 1942. Kenneth was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 18th Regiment and was shipped to Africa where he was wounded by shrapnel. He then served in Sicily, was captured and forced to march through Italy to a prison camp in Germany. For nearly two years he was a P.O.W. before being liberated by US Forces in April of 1945. In the summer of 1945, he was honorably discharged receiving a Purple Heart, five stripes for overseas duty, a Combat Infantry Bade, ribbons for the Africa and European Campaigns, three Battle Stars for Africa, Sicily and being liberated, Medal for Bravery and the Service to America Award from the American Legion. Following his discharge, Ken returned home to start life with Mary. For a short time he worked at Siebring Manufacturing in George, and then they moved to a farm east of Rock Rapids, IA. After Marys death in 1947, Kenneth was married to Hilda Van Westen of Rock Rapids and continued to live on the farm. In 1995, Ken and Hilda moved to a home in George, where he resided until his death. Kenneth was an active member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George and served as Usher and Trustee. He was also a member of the Jack Sauter Post No. 404 American Legion of George. From 1963 to 1971, he was a DeKalb Seed Corn Dealer and won many sales awards. Woodworking, gardening, collecting Roseville and Hull Pottery as well as toy tractors and model cars were among his many interests. Activities he enjoyed included attending household auctions and he was known as the Wagon Master at farm sales. He loved to travel, and in 1991 he and Hilda flew to Europe and visited the place where he was a P.O.W. This past Friday, February 18, 2011, Kenneth died at the Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids, at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Hilda Klaassen of George, IA; four children, Karen K. Peterson of Duluth, MN, Roger R. (Judy) Klaassen of Little Rock, IA, Daryl D. (Glenna) Klaassen of Rock Rapids, IA and Doug D. (Deb) Klaassen of Ellsworth, MN; seven grandchildren, Stephanie (Dennis) Adamski, of Hermantown, MN, Keith Peterson of Atlanta, GA, Lucas Peterson of Tucson, AZ, Wade (Alicia) Klaassen of Brandon, SD, Ryan (Jen) Klaassen of Sioux Falls, SD, Angela (Jason) Klimes of Sioux Falls, SD, Dereck (Rachel) Klaassen of Indianola, IA; two step-grandchildren, Misty (Randy) Arends of Rock Rapids, IA and Michelle (Ryan) Witler of Dell Rapids, SD; four great-grandchildren, William Klaassen, Wyatt Klaassen, Aidan and Emma Adamski; six step-grandchildren, Kiersten, Nathan and Talon Arends and Jaden, Ethan and Anthony Witler; sister, Florence Christians of Herman, MN, three sisters-in-law, Leona Klaassen of Little Rock, IA, Veda Mae Klaassen of Luverne, MN and Anna Mae Klaassen of Mesa, AZ. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary E. Klaassen; two granddaughters, Beth Ann and Lisa Lynn Klaassen; his parents, Harm and Reka Klaassen; four brothers, Harlan, Arthur, Donald, and Harold Klaassen; one sister, Francis Kruse; two brothers-in-law, Loyld Christians and Everly Kruse; and one sister-in-law, Gertrude Klaassen.