Francis George Klein, 91, died at his home, surrounded by his family, on June 19, 2023. He was born on Oct. 9, 1931, to Raymond and Marie (Jacoby) Klein in Defiance. The family moved to Earling, where he attended grade school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. They then moved to the family farm outside of Dunlap and he graduated from the Dunlap school in 1950. Fritz was united in marriage to Phyllis Mitchell in 1951, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church. To this union six children were born: Diane, Rickie, Jane, Mike, Pat and Jeff. The couple started their lives together farming north of Dunlap. Fritz joined the IBP workforce at its inception, working up to a department foreman. After many years at IBP, he worked as a feed salesman for Moormans. After retiring, Fritz went to work for John Sullivan at the farm and then at Sullivan Supply. He officially retired at age 87.
Fritz was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Dunlap City Council and was a long-time member and continued supporter of the Dunlap Fire and Rescue Department. In his spare time, he loved boating with his family and was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed reloading his own gun shells. Fritz helped his children with their 4-H projects and was known to spoil his family with his famous homemade ice cream.
Fritz was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gerald and James Klein; and sisters-in-law, Betty, Sharon and Fran Klein. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Phyllis; six children, Diane (Paul) Nichols of Dunlap, Rickie Ann Klein of Dunlap, Jane (Jim) Grady of Dunlap, Mike (Linda) Klein of Logan, Pat Klein of Soldier and Jeff (Diana) Klein of Dunlap; 14 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; eight siblings, Neil Klein of Omaha, Neb., Marvin (Dolores) Klein and Duane Klein all of Dunlap, Sharon (Kenneth) Livingston of Denison, Iowa, Robert Klein of Dunlap, Janet (Ronald) Seeley of Brookings, South Dakota, Linda Struck of West Des Moines, Judy (Larry) Leinen of Denison; and many other relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dunlap and was led by Father Joel McNeil and Deacon David Klein. The musicians were Deb Garrett and Jenny Puck. The honorary pallbearers were Kandace Nichols, Amber Garrett, Carrie Grady, Liz Heistand, Kathleen Kramer, Michelle Winegar and Taylor Klein. The pallbearers were Damon Nichols, Mark Nichols, Craig Nichols, Doug Nichols, Max Grady, Dillion Klein and Tyler Klein. Fritz’s final resting place is at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Fouts Funeral Home in Dunlap was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com
