Kenneth Klaahsen

George, Iowa Kenneth Klaahsen, age 86 of George, IA died on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the Good Samaritan Society in George, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, Oct. 13th at Hope Reformed Church in George, IA, with Rev. Al Honken officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA. Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 12th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Kenneth Eugene Klaahsen was born April 26, 1929 by Little Rock, Iowa to Fred and Grace (Krull) Klaahsen. He attended country school at Wheeler #6 until 8th grade and then worked on the family farm and for various farmers at rural George. Kenneth was drafted into the Army and was a veteran of the Korean War, where he served on active duty from 1951-1953 and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. While home on leave, he married Kathryn Stubbe on December 26th, 1951. He was honorably discharged from the Army in June of 1953. Upon returning home from the war, he worked at Bruns Motor Company and the Co-Op station in George until becoming a full time farmer SW of George in November of 1962. Kenneth retired from farming in 1995 but he and Kathryn continued to live on the family farm until he passed away. Kenneth loved John Deere tractors and acquired many models, t-shirts, and other John Deere collectibles over the years. He also loved collecting various tools and finding "various" methods of organizing those! His biggest love though was spending time with his loving wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and watching them in their various activities. Family gatherings were always a special time for him. Kenneth had a great sense of humor and joked often with his caregivers. He was beloved by everyone he met because of his loving nature and positive disposition. Despite a number of health issues later in life, including cancer and heart problems, he kept up a great attitude and was a role model for everyone he met. Kenneth was a member of the Hope Reformed Church and was also a member of the American Legion Post 404 for 60 years. Kenneth is survived by his wife of almost 64 years Kathryn, 4 children: Larry (Mary Jane) Klaahsen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Marianne (Larry) Groen of George, Steve (Ann) Klaahsen of George, and Curt (Margo) Klaahsen of Mason City; 6 grandchildren: Kevin (Sara) and Kory Klaahsen, Megan Jewell, Kelsey DeVries, Heath Klaahsen, and Kira (Levi) Christensen; and 8 great grandchildren: Ava, Noah, and Isaiah Klaahsen, Madyson, Brayden, and Bentley Jewell, Logan DeVries, and Aerianna Klaahsen, with another great grandson on the way in February. He is also survived by one brother, Harlan (Dottie) Klaahsen of Sun City, Arizona, 3 brothers in law: Clarence (Pauline) and Herman (Eva) Stubbe of George, and Henry (Shirley) Stubbe of Vancouver, Washington, and 1 sister in law: Evelyn Klaahsen of Hull, along with many nieces and nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Grace Klaahsen, 5 siblings: brother Roger, sister Arlys at age 17, twins-a boy and a girl, and a girl who died at birth, granddaughter Jessica DeVries, and sister in law Chyrl Klaahsen.