Charles L. Kleveland

FOREST CITY - Charles LeRoy Kleveland, 81, of Forest City, went to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, October 16, 2013 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, October 21, 2013 at Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church in Joice, IA. with Pastor Kevin Olson officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Lutheran Brethren Cemetery in Joice, IA.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 PM, Sunday, October 20, 2013 with Memory Time at 6:45 PM, at Petersen Lund Funeral Home, 505 N. Clark Street, Forest City and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Chuck was born September 1, 1932 to Elias and Mabel (Torkelson) Kleveland on their farm near Hardy, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church near Hardy. Charles attended country school, and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1952. He worked with his father on the family farm before being drafted into the Army in 1953. He took his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas and was stationed at Fairford Air Force Base in England. There he served as a smoke generator operator with the peace-keeping forces during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and returned home where he farmed with his Dad and worked at the Agrico Fertilizer Plant in Humboldt, Iowa.

On June 19, 1960, he married Carol Thompson, at Badger Lutheran Church in Badger, Iowa. Chuck and Carol lived near Badger until the spring of 1962 when they moved to a farm near Kensett, Iowa. In 1966 they purchased a farm near Fertile where he raised hogs and dairy until 1990 when they moved to a home in Forest City. During his farming years, he also worked at Winnebago Industries for 10 years. After moving into Forest City, he worked in the maintenance department of Waldorf College for 14 years. He enjoyed carpentry, and after his retirement from Waldorf, began working with his sons, Tim and Jody, doing construction.

He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church, near Joice, Iowa, for many years, and during that time served on the Trustee Board, was Sunday School Superintendent and served in youth ministries with Carol. Chuck also served with the Gideons for several years. After moving to Forest City, he and Carol joined First Congregational Church, where he served on the Deacon Board. Chuck really enjoyed music and was a part of the Bethel Male Quartet. Chuck, Carol and children, the "Kleveland Family Singers", ministered in music at local churches, for many years.

Chuck accepted Jesus as his Savior, in 1956, after returning from active military service. He loved and served the Lord, setting a strong Christian example for his children and grandchildren, who were dear to his heart. He treasured time spent with his family traveling and vacationing with them over the years. He also enjoyed his daily visits with the "guys" at Hardees.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Carol Kleveland of Forest City; their children and spouses, Tim (Deb) Kleveland, Fertile, IA., Tammy (Mark) Christofferson, Belgrade, MT., Joy (Mike) Koontz, Monroe, WA., Jody (Mary Lou) Kleveland, Forest City, IA., and Jeff (Lynn) Kleveland, Meridian, ID.; 16 grandchildren, Joshua, James (Rebecca), Jessica and Luke Kleveland, Elias and Emily Christofferson, Tyler, Tiffany, and Tiana Koontz, Josiah, Madison and Meggie Kleveland and Erin, Greta, Liesl and Kade Kleveland; and brother-in-laws, Gene (Norma) Larson of Humboldt, IA., and Russell (Helen) Lee of Albuquerque, N.M.; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Elias and Mabel Kleveland; infant sister, Lorraine Caroline; brother, Leonard; and sisters, Lorraine and Elaine.