Donald John Klein, 91, died on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Harlan. He was born on March 7, 1933, outside of Earling, to Alfons and Marcella (Langenfeld) Klein. He grew up on the farm and attended school in Earling. Donnie went to work with his dad, helping on the farm and running a corn sheller. On Nov. 10, 1953, he was married to JoEllen Koski at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. Donnie spent his life working on farms outside of Dunlap, Harlan and Walnut, before their family made their home on the farm outside of Dunlap in 1959. He raised hogs and cattle. Donnie was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap and a member of the Knights of Columbus, where he once served as Grand Knight.
Donnie enjoyed the outdoors. He enjoyed trail riding and fishing. He had a talent for woodworking and made some pieces for JoEllen to have around the house. Donnie liked attending tractor pulls and demo derbies. He planted sweet corn each year and as a family they would get together in August and shuck corn and put together 250-300 bags of sweet corn so everyone could have all they wanted. Most of all Donnie enjoyed his family and could most often be found surrounded by children or with a baby in his arms.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; son, Robert Klein; great-grandson, Oliver Miller; siblings, Rosemary Koppold, Bernard Klein, Richard Klein and Alfons Klein Jr; and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Nemitz. He is survived by his wife of over 70 years, JoEllen Klein of Harlan; children, Donna and her husband Tom Hubbell of Omaha, Neb., Kevin Klein and his wife Ann of Ida Grove, Laurie and her husband Dean Wilke of Panama, Bart Klein and his wife Lisa of Dunlap and Bryan Klein and his wife Dawn of Logan; 13 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; brother, Charlie Klein and his wife Marie of Earling; sisters-in-law, Maxine Klein of Audubon and Julie Klein of Earling; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap. Rev. Samuel Danso presided over the service. The musicians were Gavin Maloney and Sabrina Cogdill. The honorary pallbearers were Donnie’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Donnie’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
