Joseph Eldon Klemin, Jr. was born December 7, 1928, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Joseph E. Klemin, Sr. and Anita Beagle. He passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 in Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach. He was ninety-four years, ten months and twenty-five days of age.
Joe was raised in New Rockford, North Dakota and graduated from high school there. He joined the United States Army where he faithfully and proudly served his country for over twenty years. His time in the service included the Korean War. While in the Army, he met and married his beautiful bride, Opal E. Nutter Klemin. They were married in Arkansas on December 19, 1951. To this union, one son was born, Dannie Joe Klemin.
Joe was a member of the First United Methodist Church.
Following his retirement with the United States Army, Joe and his family moved to Lebanon, Missouri and he attended what is now Missouri State University. He served as a loan officer with the Federal Housing Administration (F.H.A.) in the communities of Rolla, Hermitage and Osceola. He was also a realtor/broker and served as an appraiser for several years.
The pinnacle of his F.H.A. career came when he was assigned to work in Idaho following a disaster. The Teton Dam failed in 1976 and much of two Idaho towns were damaged and/or destroyed. Joe was tasked with the challenge of helping the citizens there in rebuilding and repairing their businesses and homes. While this was a daunting task, it’s one Joe never forgot and was proud to be able to assist folks in rebuilding their lives.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Opal; his son, Dannie; a brother, Dale Klemin; and his sisters, Ida Jane and Lois.
He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Taffy Klemin of Lebanon; three granddaughters, Sarah Shumate, Danielle Grafsky, and Amy Klemin, all of Lebanon; a number of great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Geneva Retkofsky of Valley Center, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews that loved him very much.
Joe enjoyed working on his farm and liked having fun, too. He enjoyed dancing with women. He was quite the dancer.
He and Opal liked to travel and he took lots of photos of their experiences. He was a very patriotic man and was active in the V.F.W. #4107 Honor Guard while he lived in Lebanon. Joe was loyal, hardworking and loved his family and his country very much. His memory and stories he shared will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Holman-Howe Funeral Home with full military rites. Burial was in Mount Rose Memorial Park. A memorial to the V.F.W. Honor Guard has been established and donations may be left at the funeral home.
Arrangements are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon.
For more information or to visit the website go to www.holman-howe.com
