Home > United States of America > Iowa > Butler County > Washington Reformed Church Cemetery > John Richard Klahsen

John Richard Klahsen

View larger map

1 / 5

2 / 5

3 / 5

4 / 5

5 / 5

❮ ❯

John Richard Klahsen

Birth	:	10 Jun 1932 Hardin Township, Hardin County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	10 Aug 2019 Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA
Burial	:	Washington Reformed Church Cemetery, Butler County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.6429000, -93.0055000
Description	:	Source: REDMAN-SCHWARTZ FUNERAL HOME 507 Second Street Parkersburg, Iowa In Memory of John Richard Klahsen, age 87, of Aplington, Iowa, was born the son of Klaas and Pearl (Frey) Klahsen on June 10, 1932, in Hardin Township, Hardin County, Iowa. John grew up on a farm southwest of Kesley, Iowa, where he attended country school in Bear Grove through 8th grade. He would fondly say, “During those country school years, I was the smartest one in my class. . . and I was the dumbest one in my class because I was the only one in my class.” John... Read More	Source: REDMAN-SCHWARTZ FUNERAL HOME 507 Second Street Parkersburg, Iowa In Memory of John Richard Klahsen, age 87, of Aplington, Iowa, was born the son of Klaas and Pearl (Frey) Klahsen on June 10, 1932, in Hardin Township, Hardin County, Iowa. John grew up on a farm southwest of Kesley, Iowa, where he attended country school in Bear Grove through 8th grade. He would fondly say, “During those country school years, I was the smartest one in my class. . . and I was the dumbest one in my class because I was the only one in my class.” John was a 1950 graduate of Aplington High School. After graduation, he worked as a heavy equipment operator for Kingsley Construction. In February 1953, John was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War, where he served as Acting Sergeant First Class, Engineer Instructor, until his Honorable Discharge in February, 1955. John then worked at Rath Packing Plant in Waterloo, Iowa, before moving to his current farm where he began farming for the next 50 years, retiring in 2008, yet continuing to live there until his death. During the first half of his farming career, John milked dairy cows, raised cattle and hogs, and carefully worked the land and harvested the crops. The last half of his farming career he raised corn and soybeans and was a very good steward of the land, diligently putting in terraces on the hilly farm ground in order to preserve the soil for future generations. To say he loved farming would be an understatement; he thoroughly enjoyed this way of life. On February 4, 1959, John was united in marriage with Francine Faye Billerbeck at the Congregational Church in Reinbeck, Iowa. John and Francine were truly soulmates and were blessed with 60 wonderful years of marriage before Francine passed away on June 2, 2019, after John had been her loyal and protective caretaker during her final, year-long battle with cancer. John was a loving and caring husband to Francine, a loving and inspirational father/grandfather to his daughters and their families, and a giving and helpful friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. John was a loyal member of Washington Reformed Church, rural Ackley, Iowa, his entire life, where he served as both Elder and Deacon for various terms and where he taught Sunday School for many years. He also served as RCYF leader with his wife and currently was a member of the Pastoral Search Committee. John faithfully and humbly carried out his duties as a strong Christian servant; and his daily walk in Christ was evident to all who knew him. John and Francine were members of the Aplington Recreation Complex where he enjoyed golfing in the men’s league as well as in many couple’s golfing tournaments and Over-50 men’s golfing tournaments through the years around northeast Iowa. John served as a Butler County REC Board Director for 28 years, a position that allowed him the opportunity to not only help enhance the cooperative, but also form lasting friendships. He was a Trustee for Washington Township and a member of the Aplington Lions Club. John was proud to be a veteran and was a member of the Aplington Amvets, Post #102, where he served as past Commander, where he designed and built their current parade cart, and where -in the last few years- he enjoyed playing cards Monday through Saturday mornings. John was proud to march in Memorial Day parades—as recently as this past May, 2019, and especially in veterans’ burial services—as recently as this summer, 2019, honoring them with full military rites. A highlight for him was participating in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in September, 2016. John liked “tinkering” in his machine shed and fixing things; he had a true knack for it. Because of this, he was thought of as “being able to fix anything” by his immediate family and extended family. He also enjoyed working on and driving older cars and tractors—such as his red Buick convertible, John Deere B, and John Deere 2510. On Saturday, August 3, 2019, he completed the Aplington Tractor Ride with stops around Butler County and enjoyed telling of the fun he had. John was an avid reader of newspapers and various farming, mechanical, and historical magazines. He could carry on conversations about a variety of topics and liked talking with friends as well as with people he would meet throughout his day. He always seemed to have a friendly grin and a kind word to say to everyone. Above all, John enjoyed attending—along with Francine—all his daughters’ sports/extra-curricular activities and all his six grandchildren’s sports/extra-curricular activities. Usually they would arrive at the event even before the concession stand would be open. John would then have to wait to purchase his ever-present bag of popcorn as well as the popcorn he would buy for any family members or fans sitting around him. For many years, he could tell you which concession stand had the best popcorn. On August 10, 2019, John passed away at Mayo Clinic—Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, following complications from surgery the day before. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Francine; his parents; sisters-in-law Patty Klahsen, Eunice Neil, Leora Neil, Reva Billerbeck and Myrne Billerbeck; brothers-in-law David Neil and Donald Billerbeck; and son-in-law David Roth. John is survived by two daughters—Teresa (Troy) Feldman of Greene, Iowa, and Sue (Bob Moran) of West Des Moines, Iowa; six grandchildren—Amanda (Chris) Kehe of Aurora, Illinois, Alisa Roth of West Des Moines, Lisa Feldman of Rochester, John Roth of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Austin Roth of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jared Feldman of Greene; two great grandchildren—Kenzie Kehe and Kellan Kehe of Aurora; two brothers—Bill (Shirley) Klahsen and Hank Klahsen both of Aplington; sister-in-law Frances (Russell) Lorenzen of Clear Lake, Iowa; sister-in-law Ann Rae Billerbeck of Reinbeck; multiple nieces and nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 15, 2019, at the Washington Reformed Church, with burial in the Washington Reformed Church Cemetery, both in rural Ackley. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Redman-Schwartz Funeral Home in Parkersburg, and one hour before services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the family

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Richard Klahsen's memorial?
John Richard Klahsen's memorial is located at: Washington Reformed Church Cemetery, Butler County, USA.
When did John Richard Klahsen death?
John Richard Klahsen death on 10 Aug 2019 in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Richard Klahsen's memorial?
Latitude: 42.6429000
Longitude: -93.0055000

Family Members:

Parent

Klaas Klahsen

(1898 - 1974)

Spouse

Francine Faye Billerbeck Klahsen

(1934 - 2019)

Siblings

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Washington Reformed Church Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6429000, -93.0055000

2. Madison Township Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6869011, -92.9672012

3. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Osceola Township, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5942000, -93.0570000

4. Memorial Park Cemetery
Austinville, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5780983, -92.9571991

5. Four Mile Grove Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6949997, -93.0852966

6. Bethel Reformed Church Cemetery
Aplington, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6278300, -92.8988000

7. Saint Mary's Catholic Church Cemetery
Ackley, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5572692, -93.0357487

8. Oak Wood Cemetery
Ackley, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5591450, -93.0521440

9. Ackley Christian Reform Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5564490, -92.9666750

10. Faith Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5553640, -92.9657310

11. Pleasant View Cemetery
Aplington, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5918999, -92.8946991

12. Hitesville Cemetery
Aplington, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6713982, -92.8778000

13. Lindenwood Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6935997, -93.1235962

14. West Friesland Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5435000, -92.9846400

15. Saint Paul's Catholic Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6617012, -93.1442032

16. Dumont Cemetery
Dumont, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7553177, -92.9748230

17. Saint Peter's UCC Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6143010, -93.1639970

18. Harlan Cemetery
Dumont, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7663994, -93.0143967

19. South Bristow Cemetery
Bristow, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7527400, -92.9168100

20. Towle Cemetery
Geneva, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6836014, -93.1785965

21. Oak Hill Cemetery
Bristow, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7719002, -92.9353027

22. Saint Peters Cemetery
Wellsburg, Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.5027000, -92.9676000

23. German Township Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.4996000, -93.0095000

24. Monroe Township Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6380997, -92.8106003