James A. Klein

Jim's service will be live-streamed today through the church's website: www.arcluverne.org/watch-live/

JAMES A. KLEIN was born on July 10, 1927 to Arthur and Susie (Altena) Klein in Sioux County, Iowa. He spent his childhood on the family farm and attended Sioux County country school through the eighth grade. After school, Jim helped his Dad on the farm. He simply loved to farm. From the time he was a young boy, all he ever wanted to do was farm and that passion never waned. On November 27, 1945 James enlisted in the United States Army. He served his country, ranked as corporal, until his honorable discharge on February 15, 1947. Jim was united in marriage to Geraldine Smits on December 8, 1950 in Maurice, Iowa. The couple made their home on the farm in Springwater Township in Rock County. While remaining active in farming, Jim started Klein Tractor Salvage in Pipestone, Minnesota in 1965. Jim worked hard at his business and farming and took pride in a job well done. He continued to farm and work at the store until his formal retirement in 1993. Geraldine preceded him in death on September 22, 1998. In January 2020, Jim became a resident at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, where on Sunday, October 3, 2021 he died peacefully at the age of 94 years, two months and 23 days.

Jim was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne. He enjoyed traveling with Geraldine in their motor home, especially their winters spent in Texas. He also enjoyed coffee with his “education class”, John Deere tractors, and loved his time spent with family. He will be remembered for his honesty and hard work ethic as well as being a sweet man who enjoyed telling stories.

He is lovingly remembered by his children, Stanley (Sandra “Cookie”) Klein of Waukee, Iowa, Glenda (Mark) Schneekloth of Luverne, and Donna Klein of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandchildren, Jared Scheekloth, Melissa (Rick) Westberg, Amy (Shane) Wright and Ann (Nick) Jaques; great-grandchildren, Sommer Schneekloth, Bryson Wright and Garrett Wright; and brother, Adrian Klein of Pipestone. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine; his parents; and his siblings and their spouses, Clarence (Bertha) Klein, Alice (Fred) Langstraat and Sam (Dorothy) Klein; and sister-in-law, Albertha Klein.