Jerome J. Kleen – age 91, of Urbandale, formerly of Gilmore City, passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021. A private graveside service was held on October 14, 2021, at the Calvary Cemetery in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Jerome Joseph Kleen was born on February 23, 1930, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was the son of Joseph and Celestine (Neu) Kleen. Jerome was the last survivor of his immediate family, which included, Mary Joanne Kleen Donnelly, Marilyn Kleen Dunn Babbitt and Robert F. Kleen. Jerome attended St. John's Catholic Grade School and graduated from Gilmore City High School in 1948. Jerome served in the U.S. Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton during the Korean conflict. Following his discharge from the Marines, Jerome decided to hitch hike back across the country to the family farm in Gilmore City, much to the chagrin of his parents.

Jerome, at the age of 12, set up check wiring for planting, while his father and mother left to visit friends one Sunday afternoon. Joe and Sally returned and Joe asked. "Who did that check-wiring?" Jerome replied, "I did" Joe said, "It's perfectly straight son, you are now ready to begin farming." Jerome held the talent of land farming and his father, Joe, was the business manager. Together, they were a strong dynamic father and son team. Jerome's career in farming began that Sunday afternoon when he was 12 years old and spanned 50 successful years. Jerome loved the land and the land ALWAYS loved him back, as he produced high yields, year after year.

Jerome loved to listen and dance to the big bands at the Fort Dodge ballroom. A vivacious, red-head, Lorna, from Pomeroy, also loved the big bands and that is where the great love affair began between Lorna and Jerome. They were married on November 16, 1957, at Corpus Christi Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Jerome and Lorna hoped and prayed for sons that

were needed to work the farm. A blue baby book was purchased, Diane was born, followed by Karen, Janet, Sandra and Teresa. Jerome and Lorna struck out on boys, but they hit the jackpot with 5 strong, hard-working girls.

Jerome had many passions in life, besides farming. He loved woodworking and fixing things in his shop. Jerome was quite a creative chef in the kitchen, and would invent recipes, some dishes were tasty and some went straight to the dogs. Jerome loved fishing and boating at his cabin on Spirit Lake and Canada fishing trips were his favorite. However, Jerome's cabin on Spirit Lake was his pride and joy and he spent endless hours fishing there. Jerome wanted his daughters to enjoy the cabin as much as he did, so when they stated that the water in the cabin smelled fishy, Jerome put in his own water source. When they expressed it was boring at the lake sometimes, Jerome bought many sets of water skis. Jerome was happiest when he could make his family happy.

On a daily basis, Jerome would hop in his pick-up and drive around to look at the crops, then stop at the local grain elevator, "to shoot the breeze" with the guys and finally stopped at John's gas station in Bradgate, for more conversation and the card game, Gut. But what Jerome loved most was spending time on the farm with his family. Every night after supper, Jerome would ask his daughters, "What sport do you want to play tonight?" Jerome even laid cement next to the corncrib and painted in the free-throw lane so he could play basketball games with his daughters. He played for hours with his daughters, priceless!

Jerome will be remembered as a man with a gregarious, out-going personality, WHO LOVED TO TELL JOKES CONSTANTLY, talk to everyone who crossed his path in life, waved with the one finger salute to all and had a zest for life like no other. Jerome's beautiful smile would light up a room, he always looked to the bright side of life and had an extremely strong faith in the Lord. Jerome wasn't done with life, he LOVED it here, but the Lord needed Jerome more.

Jerome is survived by his wife of 63 years, Lorna; his daughters, Diane Kleen of Torrance, CA, Karen (Mark) Lester of Fargo, ND, Janet Schutt of Clive, Sandra (Mike) Day of Burnet, TX, and Teresa Kleen of Hermosa Beach, CA; grandchildren, Lexi Kleen, Alyssa and Adam Lester, Jessica (Bryan) Lawson, Jon (Kristen) Kleen, Nikki (Jimmy) Raths, Tom (Ellen) Day and Archer Zeleznick; great-grandchildren, Blake, Gabe, Luke and Ali Lawson, Mason and Caleb Kleen, Kaylie, Carter, Casey and Koby Raths, and Frances Day.