Obituary: Joe Klejch, Jr.

Joe Klejch, Jr.
1933-2025
Joe Klejch, Jr. (Junior) was born January 5, 1933, at the hospital in Creston, Iowa and left this life on July 28, 2025, at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. He was the only child to Joe Klejch and Helen Louise (Elick) Klejch.
Junior graduated from Diagonal High School in 1951, where he made many life-long friends. He attended Iowa State University, started farming, then served his country in the US Army from September 1953 to September 1955. Junior was stationed in Japan and was a Supply Specialist during the Korean Conflict. Following his service, he returned to the family farms in Mount Ayr and Diagonal.
On December 19, 1959, Junior married Shirley Ann (Graham) in Clarinda, IA. They later welcomed a son, Gary Joe and daughter, Lisa Kay.
Junior traveled extensively around the country with his parents in his younger years and spent one year going to school in McAllen, TX. Junior loved going to Las Vegas and went there many times with Shirley and their friends as well as “with the guys.” In his later years, he traveled with family to Branson, Disneyworld, and Chicago and was always ready for adventure. Another highlight for Junior was the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2015.
Junior enjoyed farming and farmed as long as he was physically able, well into his eighties. His son Gary joined him on the family farm, and they worked together for over 50 years. Junior loved telling stories and talking to friends and neighbors. He played cards with his family as well as his friends at the grain elevator, the Deadbeat Club and anyone else who wanted to play. He was the rare fan who cheered for both the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones. Junior was a lifelong member of the American Legion as well serving the community in the Ringgold County Posse, Iowa Cattleman’s Association, Farm Bureau, and Republican Party.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Shirley of 65 years, son Gary (Linda) Klejch of Mount Ayr, IA, and daughter Lisa McClelland of Plymouth, MN. Also surviving are his 5 grandchildren: Wesley (Yenna) Klejch of Flagstaff, AZ, Jordan (Hayley) Klejch of Las Vegas, NV, Leah (AJ) Thomas of Deerfield Beach, FL, Nicholas (Gina) McClelland of Minneapolis, MN and Tyler (Abby) McClelland of Brooklyn, NY. Junior is also survived by his great-grandsons August and Arthur; sisters-in-law Karyn Graham and Marilyn Pritchett; as well many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends, including his special great-niece, Amy.
Junior was preceded in death by his parents as well as his in-laws Roy and Gladys Graham; brothers-in-law Charles Graham, Donald Graham, Richard Graham and Robert Graham; sister-in-law Belle Graham; nephew Steve Graham and nephew-in-law Robert Schlapia.
An open viewing will be held at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Friday, August 15, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the family present on Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Services will begin at 11 a.m. Burial, with military honors, will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to the American Legion and Princess Theater.