James “Jim” Kleve

Monday, March 6, 2017 6:39 pm

James “Jim” Kleve, 84, of Decorah, died Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Wellington Place in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 10, with Phil Gibbs officiating.

Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel. Soloist was Carolyn Bodensteiner (“Ave Maria,” “Here I am, Lord,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Taste and See” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth”). Lector was Jayme Williams.

Mass servers were Mary Bodensteiner, Trey and Eric Kriener. Offertory gift bearers were Sherry, Robin and Darla. Eucharistic ministers were Sue Hackman, Kevin Bodensteiner and Michele Weinandt. Casket bearers were Scott Jensen, Tony Jensen, Stephen Jensen, Brent Williams, Caidn Williams, Kerry Kleve and Dale Imoehl. Interment was at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery in Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

James “Jim” Conrad Kleve was born July 22, 1932, the son of Arnold and Anna (Wurzer) Kleve on a farm near Ossian. Jim attended school at St. Francis de Sales Catholic School in Ossian. He then helped farm at home as well as with area farmers.

He was united in marriage to Mary Tupy Aug. 17, 1954, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson. Together they farmed in Winneshiek County from 1954-98, moving into Decorah in 1998. Jim worked for Medicap Pharmacy as their “drug runner” from 2000-2012. This was a job he truly loved – where he could get out, meet people and visit.

Jim’s hobbies include fishing, golfing and playing cards and, in recent years, playing Bingo at Wellington Place Assisted Living, where he always was lucky. He enjoyed his trips to socialize at coffee at the “Family Table” and later in the day at “Your Place” for a Diet Coke.

He stole the hearts of everyone he met with his humor and his smile. He will be missed greatly by his family. Jim was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

Jim is survived by his three daughters: Sherry (Richard) Jensen, Decorah, Robin (Kirby) Luckett, Iowa City and Darla (Kevin) Reicks, Ridgeway; three grandchildren: Scott (Stephanie) Jensen, Jayme (Brent) Williams and Tony (Martha) Jensen; five great-grandchildren: Stephen and Sydnee Jensen, Caidn Williams, Aurora and Aleia Jensen; Robin’s fury friend, Guinness, who Jim loved; sisters and spouses: Henrietta (Gerald) Bushman, Spring Valley, Minn., Dorothy (Johnny) Mashek, Calmar, Leonilla (Laverne) Imoehl, Elgin; sister-in-law, Margaret Kleve, Waucoma; Mary’s family: Joe and Bette Tupy, Huntley, Ill., John and Carolyn Bodensteiner, Olathe, Kan., Paul and Phyllis Tupy, Virginia Beach, Va.; brother-in-law, Ron Bodensteiner, West Union; and sister-in-law, Pauline Tupy, Charles City; along with many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kleve, Jan. 8, 1999; daughter, Dina Marie Kleve, Aug. 15, 1967; his parents, Arnold and Anna (Wurzer) Kleve; brother, Eugene Kleve; sister-in-law, Donna Bodensteiner; two brothers-in-law, Elmer Tupy and Norbert Tupy; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Caroline (Karnik) Tupy.

Jim loved driving out to his farm and seeing the season changes. Jim would like to extend a special thank you out to Gary Moellers for taking such good care of the acreage all these years. The family would also like to thank the Wellington Place nurses and staff along with the Winneshiek Medical Center Hospice for all of their wonderful care of Jim. In lieu of flowers, Jim requested memorials to be given to the Winneshiek Medical Center Cardiac Rehab, 901 Montgomery Street, Decorah, IA 52101.

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