Home > United States of America > Iowa > Mitchell County > Riceville > Riverside Cemetery > Gordon Robert Kleckner

Gordon Robert Kleckner

Birth	:	7 May 1936
Death	:	9 Aug 2021 Riceville, Mitchell County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Riverside Cemetery, Riceville, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate	:	43.3676834, -92.5576324
Description	:	Gordon Kleckner, age 85, passed away peacefully Monday, August 9, 2021, at his rural Riceville home. It was in this same house he was born in 1936 to H. Clarence & Opal Kleckner and it was on this same farm he worked his entire life. As the youngest of four boys, Gordon's childhood was filled with the many adventures of farm and country life. He attended Riceville High School where he played football and baseball, sang in choir, and was a member of FFA. After graduating in 1954, Gordon helped work his parents' farm until being drafted... Read More	Gordon Kleckner, age 85, passed away peacefully Monday, August 9, 2021, at his rural Riceville home. It was in this same house he was born in 1936 to H. Clarence & Opal Kleckner and it was on this same farm he worked his entire life. As the youngest of four boys, Gordon's childhood was filled with the many adventures of farm and country life. He attended Riceville High School where he played football and baseball, sang in choir, and was a member of FFA. After graduating in 1954, Gordon helped work his parents' farm until being drafted into the United States Army in 1960 where he was eventually assigned to the 523rd Engineer Company of the 46th Artillery Group at the Artillery Kaserne in Neckarsulm, Germany. He served as a liquid oxygen production specialist here for the US Army's Redstone missile system. When on leave, Gordon traveled throughout Europe seeing the sites in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and England. These experiences instilled in him a love of travel he enjoyed the rest of his life and imparted upon his family. In 1962, Gordon was transferred to the US Army Reserves and received an honorable discharge in 1966. After his active duty, Gordon returned to farm with his parents where he established a small Holstein dairy herd. It was also during this time he developed an interest in natural resource conservation practices which he began to employ on the farm. This would lead to his development of several certified wildlife areas on the property and eventually to contour farming in which the farm remains today. In 1966, Gordon made the acquaintance of his neighbors' daughter, LaRae (Saltou) Merrill, who was living in Waterloo at the time with her four young children. Gordon and LaRae eventually married at the Little Brown Church near Nashua, IA in late July 1968. LaRae and her children moved to the farm and in a few short years she & Gordon welcomed three more children to the family. With LaRae by his side, Gordon expanded the Holstein herd and the family dairy farmed until the early 2000s. After retiring from dairy, Gordon maintained a small herd of cattle and crop farmed until his passing. He was a farmer through and through. Gordon loved his wife and family. As one of few words, he expressed his love through quiet devotion and dedication. He particularly enjoyed treating his family during the holidays when gifts would overflow from under the large tree on Christmas morning. He was a beloved pushover when it came to his grandkids and great grandkids who, while growing up, enjoyed meals of ice cream and treats when grandpa was on babysitting duty. And though often quiet, he could become surprisingly boisterous when the right topic of conversation came up. Gordon was an avid sports fan and over the years could often be found watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Minnesota Vikings, and St. Louis Cardinals. He was also a life-long Riceville Wildcats fan. When not busy on the farm, Gordon enjoyed fishing with his kids and grandkids, canoeing with his family on the Upper Iowa River, Sunday afternoon drives, and July 4th fireworks at Lake Hendricks. From a young age, Gordon was always intrigued by new technology particularly television, video, and computer. He regularly purchased the latest new technology as soon as the products became available. When it came to a camera, he was much more comfortable behind the lens and was quick to capture family activities and events on film and video. He was also brilliant with anything mechanical or electrical. Through the years he regularly rebuilt tractor engines and repaired implements, farm equipment, vehicles, televisions, various electronics, plumbing, and more. He was definitely Mr. Fix-it on the farm and for family. Gordon is survived by his children Tommy Kleckner, Tammie (Fredy) Jimenez, Harold "Bill" (Jeanette) Merrill, Jr., Jeff (Lori) Merrill, Laura (Jeff) Doty, Del (Linda) Merrill, and honorary daughter Pannipa "Nid" Jangvithaya of Bangkok, Thailand; grandchildren Adam (Cassie) Doty, Benjamin Doty, Amanda Doty, Dustin (Chelsey) Doty, Elizabeth Merrill, Analissa (Kyle) Christensen, Crystal Merrill, Lainey Paulus, and Mickey Paulus; great grandchildren Brinkley, Delaney, Xander, Sawyer and Sydney Doty; five sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of over 52 years, LaRae, his son Robert Kleckner, his parents H. Clarence & Opal Kleckner, his three brothers Wilbur, Lowell, and Richard, two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and two nephews. A private celebration of Gordon and LaRae will be held for family and friends followed by a private graveside service. Lindstrom Funeral Home

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Gordon Robert Kleckner's memorial?
Gordon Robert Kleckner's memorial is located at: Riverside Cemetery, Riceville, Mitchell County, USA.
When did Gordon Robert Kleckner death?
Gordon Robert Kleckner death on 9 Aug 2021 in Riceville, Mitchell County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Gordon Robert Kleckner's memorial?
Latitude: 43.3676834
Longitude: -92.5576324

Family Members:

Parent

Henry Clarence Kleckner

(1896 - 1966)

Opal Merle Torney Kleckner

(1899 - 1993)

Spouse

LaRae Evaline Saltou Kleckner

(1933 - 2021)

Siblings

Wilbur Clarence Kleckner

(1928 - 2019)

Lowell Henry Kleckner

(1933 - 2019)

Richard M Kleckner

(1934 - 1994)

Children

Robert Gordon Kleckner

(1969 - 1986)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Calvary Cemetery
Riceville, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3497009, -92.5550003

2. Saint Peters Lutheran Cemetery
Riceville, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3163986, -92.5547028

3. Wayne Cemetery
McIntire, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4411011, -92.5744019

4. Beaver Creek Cemetery
Brownville, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3397217, -92.6727829

5. Robbins Cemetery
David (historical), Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4150009, -92.6718979

6. Reckner Cemetery
Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2743988, -92.5152969

7. Saint Peters Cemetery
New Haven, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2858315, -92.6427765

8. Saratoga Township Cemetery
Saratoga, Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3710000, -92.4023000

9. Saint Pauls Lutheran Church Cemetery
Maple Leaf, Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3217000, -92.4082000

10. Liberty Cemetery
Little Cedar, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.3856010, -92.7230988

11. Saint Patricks Church Cemetery
McIntire, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4771996, -92.6508026

12. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Meyer, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4583282, -92.7011108

13. Calvary Cemetery
Elma, Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2522011, -92.4421997

14. Howard Cemetery
Elma, Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2517014, -92.4372025

15. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2200012, -92.5149994

16. Le Roy Cemetery
Le Roy, Mower County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5214005, -92.5227966

17. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Le Roy, Mower County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5217018, -92.5207977

18. Le Roy Lutheran Cemetery
Le Roy, Mower County, USA
Coordinate: 43.5217750, -92.5196340

19. Chester Hill Cemetery
Chester, Howard County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4897003, -92.4072037

20. Stillwater Cemetery
Orchard, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2130585, -92.6780624

21. Visitation Catholic Cemetery
Stacyville, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4430618, -92.7813873

22. Stacyville Cemetery
Stacyville, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.4294014, -92.7908020

23. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Osage, Mitchell County, USA
Coordinate: 43.2742004, -92.7917023

24. Calvary Cemetery
Alta Vista, Chickasaw County, USA
Coordinate: 43.1983520, -92.4241590