Klemme, Darwyn 1934-2025

KLEMME, OSTERTHUN, HILLRICHS, ULIN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/7/2025 at 19:05:43

Darwyn Klemme, 90 of Akron, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the Akron Care Center in Akron.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 3, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron with Chaplain Paula Damon officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Garden in rural Le Mars, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will begin at 2:00 p.m., and continue until 5:00 p.m. Prayer Service, all on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Family and friends are encouraged to wear their Iowa Hawkeye, or black and gold, attire to Darwyn’s services. Arrangements are with Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron.

Memorials may be directed to the Akron Care Center or Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron.

Darwyn Allen Klemme, son of Walter H. and Alma (Osterthun) Klemme, was born in Akron, Iowa on March 24, 1934. Darwyn grew up on his family’s farm east of Akron where he developed his love for livestock, the land, and the outdoors. Darwyn graduated from Akron Community High School. He was united in marriage to Eunice Hillrichs on February 21, 1954.

To this union were born two daughters and two sons: Lynette, LaNay, Greg, and Matthew. They farmed many years east of Akron until moving to the family farm in 1972. God had called Darwyn to be a farmer. He was known for his strong work ethic; he found so much pride in watching the seeds pop through the soil at planting time, his love for livestock, and selling feed to his many loyal customers. He fed many cattle that were sold at the ‘top of the market’ and operated a farrow to finish hog operation for 25 years.

On February 26, 1982, Darwyn married Betty Ulin and went into the feed business full time. This transition was natural for him, understanding first-hand the challenge of modern livestock production. He thought of his customers’ herds as if they were his own. He worked with Cooper Feeds for four years, then Browns of Akron. After 16 years with Browns, he went to work for Tri-States Best, working for his good friend, Leonard Koch.

In late 2004, Leonard sold his business to Farmers Cooperative. To the benefit of Farmers Cooperative and Darwyn’s customers, Darwyn went to work for FCC. After retiring unsuccessfully three times, he finally retired at the age of 80.

Darwyn’s beloved family, friends, and church were the fruits of his labor. He was kind, compassionate, generous, and always willing to lend a helping hand to a customer or neighbor. He was proud of his family and could be found sitting in the stands of any sporting event watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, or just telling others of his family’s great attributes.

He was the Minnesota Twins and Iowa Hawkeyes most avid fan, never missing a game on TV. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and was a true competitor in golf, bowling, cards, and fishing. He was an eternal optimist, finding the best in people and the best in trying circumstances. Darwyn was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron where he also served on the church council. He loved going to church, even if it meant going in a wheelchair. His Heavenly Father continued to love and care for him until his last earthly breath escaped from him and his first breath in Heaven was inhaled.

He leaves, for now, his four beloved children and their spouses: Lynette (Howard) Altena of Rock Valley, IA, LaNay (Steve) Welch of Akron, IA, Greg (Paulette) Klemme of Akron, IA, and Matthew (Lori) Klemme of Sergeant Bluff; 11 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; sister, Elvira (Norman) Nielsen; and many other dear relatives and friends.
Welcoming him into Heaven are his parents, Walter and Alma Klemme; parents in law, Ben and Annie Hillrichs; two brothers, Wendall (Arlene) Klemme and Ronald Klemme; and a great granddaughter, Anna Marie Schoen.

His family wishes to extend a special thank you for the loving care that Darywn received while at the Akron Care Center, and especially from his number one nurse, Meagan.