Kermit Klees

Kermit Dallas Klees succumbed to cancer Friday, April 26, 2024 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. There will be a celebration of his life at a later date.

Kermit was born June 3, 1949 to Paul and Coral (Moose) Klees in Waukon and grew up south of Rossville. He farmed with his father, graduated from Waukon High School in 1968 and enlisted in the National Guard 229th Engineers in 1970. When he was released in 1977 he had attained the rank of E5, and could crush rock with the best of them!

Kermit continued to farm at home, and support his mother and younger sisters after Paul died in1971.

In 1979, he married Ann Downey, and they started their own lives. Purchasing their own farm in 1985, Kermit and Ann began raising horses, then switched to a modest herd of jersey dairy cattle. When they retired from farming, due to Kermit’s stroke, they were milking 50 head.

Horses had always been a big part of Kermit’s life, and he enjoyed working with the horse project and the kids in 4-H, often joining in the wild and crazy games he came up with! He also sheared sheep with Mike Monroe, and did the 4-H lambs for free.

Kermit was always ready to help out a friend or neighbor, whether it was working with cattle, helping with crops or even cleaning out the stock trailer to help someone move their household! And you could expect practical jokes and teasing.

Kermit is survived by his wife, Ann; his sisters, LindaLou (Phillip) Heeler, Janice Shogren, Nancy (John) Bacula and Susan (John) Balik; his brother-in-law, Bill Reinhardt; and many nieces and nephews. He is also missed by his dog, Tara.

If anyone wishes to donate in his memory, Kermit would want you to please send memorials to Veterans Memorial Hospital or the Waterville Ambulance Service, who took such good care of him. Without these critical services our community could not survive.