Roger Klaahsen

George, IA Roger Klaahsen, age 78 of Hull, IA died Friday, December 26, 2014, at Good Samaritan Center in George, IA, with his loving family by his side. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 30th at American Reformed Church in Hull, IA, with Rev. Katie Van Veldhuizen officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA. Visitation will be Monday, December 29th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the American Reformed Church in Hull, IA, and one hour prior to the service at the church Tuesday morning. Jurrens Funeral Home of George is in charge of services. Roger Dean Klaahsen was born April 10, 1936 at Doon, Iowa, the son of Fred K. and Grace (Krull) Klaahsen. He was baptized at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in George, IA. He was raised on a family farm southwest of George, IA, where he attended country school through the 8th grade. He helped his father with the day to day operation of the farm. At age 17 Roger worked for Bruns Motor Company at George and eventually began farming and working part-time at the George Co-op Oil. On December 30, 1960 he was united in marriage to Evelyn Harberts - Bechler at Hope Reformed Church near George. They farmed south of George then moved to a farm south of Hope Reformed Church. Roger and Evelyn eventually moved back to his childhood farm and farmed for the next 22 years. In 1999 they moved to Hull, IA, where Roger worked part-time at Boyden Farmers Co-op followed by Sioux-Preme Packing Co in Sioux Center, IA until retiring in 2001. After his retirement he worked part-time at Wal-Mart in Sioux Center as a greeter. Roger was a member of the American Reformed Church in Hull, IA. He enjoyed collecting John Deere and Allis Chalmers toy tractors, camping, but most of all spending time with his children and grandchildren, never missing an event or activity they had. Roger will be remembered as a fun loving person who enjoyed visiting with people. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Evelyn Klaahsen of Hull, IA; five children, Robert "Bob" (wife Brandy) Klaahsen, Rodney "Sam" Klaahsen, Roberta "Bert" Klaahsen, all of Woodbine, IA, Rhonda "Onnie" (husband Ken) Van Der Zwaag of Hull, IA and Rita "Runt" (husband Tim) Melby of Woodbine, IA; twelve grandchildren, Angie, Justin (wife Kerri), Kyle, Sabrina, Austin and Chelsea Klaahsen, Samijo Klaahsen and Jacolby Ehlert, Rebecca and Nicole Melby, Cassandra and Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag; two great-grandchildren, Cameron Klaahsen and Joshua Raymer. Two brothers, Kenneth (wife Kathryn) Klaahsen of George, IA and Harlan (wife Dottie) Klaahsen of Sun City, AZ; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Grace Klaahsen; and sister, Arlys Klaahsen, an infant sister and infant twins a sister and a brother.