Obituary of Leon Francis Kluesner

Leon Kluesner, 70, of New Vienna, passed away suddenly and peacefully with his family at his side Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.

Visitation will be held 2-8 p.m. Thursday, June 14, 2018, at Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville where the Dyersville Fire Department will attend at 6 pm and the NV/Lux Fire Department will attend at 6:45 pm.  Visitation will continue Friday from 9-10 am at Kramer Funeral Home prior to funeral services.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 15, 2018, St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. John O’Connor and Rev. Carl Ries will officiate.

Leon was born July 1, 1947, in Dubuque, the son of Carl and Rita (Pfeiler) Kluesner.  He graduated from Leo High School in Holy Cross and worked as a carpenter.  He married Zelda Willenborg on September 4, 1971, at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, Iowa.  Together they moved to the Kluesner family farm east of New Vienna where they raised their family.

Leon was an active community volunteer, serving on several boards including the St. Boniface parish council and the Hennessy Catholic School Board, the New Vienna/Luxemburg Fire Department Board of Directors, the New Vienna Coop and New Wine Township Board of Trustees.

Leon enjoyed driving his John Deere on tractor rides, cruising in his classic car, trips to Branson, MO, playing euchre with friends, making sausage and growing potatoes and pumpkins.  Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren by giving them gator rides and making them woodworking projects.  He took great pride in caring for his family, friends, and the farm.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Zelda, 4 children: Jason (Sarah) Kluesner of Manchester, Keith (Andrea) Kluesner of Peosta, Carmen (Steve) Lansing of Dyersville and Tony Kluesner of New Vienna;  9 grandchildren: Spencer, Parker and Mackenzie Kluesner, Bodie, Kogan, Ahsha and Ahnya Kluesner, Blake and Trent Lansing;  siblings: Julia (Gilbert) Gaul of Farley, Earl (Kay) Kluesner of Luxemburg, his twin, Lyle (Pat) Kluesner of Boonton, NJ;  in-laws: Dennis (Carol Ann) Willenborg of New Vienna, Larry (LuAnn) Willenborg of Petersburg, Jerry (Sandy) Nickol and Grace (David) Nelson, both of Dyersville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Anselm and Mary Willenborg, step mother-in-law, Odiel Hoffmann Willenborg, a stillborn child, Kurt Francis, and a sister-in-law, Glenda Nickol.

Memorials are preferred to St. Boniface Catholic Church or to the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.kramerfuneral.com.