Willie Klein

Richfield, Utah - Wilbur “Willie” George Klein, age 79, passed away July 4, 2007 at his home in Richfield, after a courageous battle with melanoma. He never gave up his fight. He was born October 30, 1927 in Ashley, North Dakota, a son of Christian Henry and Louisa Eckman Klein. Born premature, without the advances of modern medicine, his strength and will to live was evident from birth. He married Eunice Schlecht September 29, 1957 in Bowdle, South Dakota. Willie’s greatest joy in life was his family and all things to do with the country life. He loved animals, and had a special way with orphaned calves and lambs. He enjoyed setting up bird feeders and watching the colorful birds they attracted. He collected miniature John Deere tractors and train sets. He enjoyed doing wood crafts, any kind of fix it up projects and yard work. Willie was a man of quiet faith and felt that life was one of the lord’s greatest gifts. He was a hard worker and lived an honest life. He accepted others wholeheartedly for who they were. He believed in making the best of things and finding happiness in the everyday life. His family was always his first priority, and he was a treasured husband, father and Grandpa. His family will miss him terribly until we are brought together again. Throughout his life, he lived in several states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, California and Utah. He took pride in a job well done, and worked as a mechanic, a shipping clerk for JC Penney ware house, owned his own maintenance business and worked on the crew of the Holly Sugar Beet Factory, but his true love was any job in the agriculture field. He worked for more than 25 years for Johnson’s Feedlot in Aurora - well past retirement age. Willie is survivied by his wife and sweetheart of 50 years, Eunice Klein, son, Richard Klein, daughter Mary and Kelly Conder, grandchildren: Colton Conder and Aspen Conder (whom he affectionately called his little monkey), all of Richfield; brothers and sisters: Clarence and Delores Klein, Oscar and Lorraine Preszler, Luella and Cliff Inman, Joann Preszler, Verona Thornton, Alvina (Harold, deceased) Tippie; as well as many beloved in laws, nieces and nephews. In addition, he had extended family and friends that loved him as Grandpa Willie. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and 3 sisters. The family would like to thank Vickie, Callie, Dr. Jan Christensen and the rest of the wonderful staff from At Home Health care, for the compassionate hospice care Willie received, but most of all, Shauna, who was a Godsend for Willie and our family. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 7, 2007 at 10:00 A.M. in the Springer Turner Funeral Home Chapel, 150 East Main Street in Salina. Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah.