Natalie Kleckner

Natalie L. Kleckner, 87, of Orono, MN and formerly of Urbandale, IA and Rudd, IA, passed away on June 28, 2019 at her residence in Orono, entering her eternal home with Jesus Christ.

A memorial service has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on September 21, 2019 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 5625 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA. Natalie's eldest son, Rev. Mark Kleckner of Mount Olive, will officiate. A luncheon reception at the church follows the memorial service. A private interment of ashes at the Mausoleum of McLarens Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines will be held following the reception.

Natalie Leone Kitzmann Kleckner was born in West Bend, IA, on Palm Sunday, March 20, 1932. She was the third of six children born to Rev. Immanuel G. and Leona (Borchelt) Kitzmann. Natalie attended country schools through 8th grade, then public high school in Rudd, where she graduated valedictorian of her class in 1950. She married fellow class member and salutatorian Dean R. Kleckner on June 7, 1953, at St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Osage, IA.

Natalie was a woman of faith and a devoted mother to her five children, and in turn to her grandchildren, attending virtually every sports game, concert, and play in which they participated. She raised her children to be faithful Christians. She also provided loving care for her parents in their retirement until their deaths, and for her brother Thomas until his death. She was a homemaker with extraordinary creative talent in sewing, gardening, design, art, and even construction (she designed and built two additions on the family farm home near Rudd, IA). Natalie was active in the choirs and women's organizations of St. John's Lutheran Church, Osage, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Urbandale.

While a private and shy person by nature, Natalie bravely fulfilled a more public role by her husband's side as he served over several decades as President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, then as President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Natalie was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Dean; parents, Rev. I.G. and Leona (Borchelt) Kitzmann; parents-in-law, Ralph and Grace (Lenth) Kleckner; brother, Thomas Kitzmann; brother, Eugene Kitzmann and his wife, Irene (Kiefer) Kitzmann; sister-in-law, Beverly (Adrian) Kitzmann; daughter-in-law, Judy (Black) Kleckner; and niece, Julie (Kleckner) Baird.

Natalie is survived by her children, Mark (Kimberly) Kleckner of Des Moines, Scott (Jeananne) Kleckner of Van Meter, Kirk (Karen) Kleckner of Blaine, MN, Rhonda Kelloway of Glen Ellyn, IL, and Lisa (Travis) Winkey of Long Lake, MN; by her siblings, Leonard Kitzmann of Davenport, Harold (Betty) Kitzmann of Fishersville, VA, Roy (Joyce) Kitzmann of Frederick, MD, and brother-in-law, Rex (Irene) Kleckner of LeRoy, MN; by her 11 grandchildren and 5 spouses of grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Natalie Kleckner wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Mom's devoted caregivers at Trails of Orono and the staff of Methodist Hospice. Memorials may be given to Trails of Orono, 875 Wayzata Blvd., Wayzata, MN 55391.