William E. (Bill) Klatt, 91, Hartley

A funeral service for William E. “Bill” Klatt was held Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley, with Pastor Chris Nitzel officiating.

Pallbearers were Jeremiah Ehlers, Joshua Ehlers, Sarah Deranleau, Mason Klatt, Grace Klatt, Faith Klatt, Deb Peters, Hilary Becker, Hannah Klatt, Brett Urban, Karley Urban and Drew Klatt. Honorary pallbearers were Bill’s great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter. Burial was in Waterman Township Cemetery at Sutherland, with military graveside rites conducted by Melvin American Legion, Reed Guthrie Post #470. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

William Edward “Bill” Klatt, son of Otto, Sr. and Pearl (Wells) Klatt, was born on the farm in Baker Township, Osceola County, near Melvin on Dec. 22, 1929. He lived his youth on the farm east of Melvin, receiving his education through the country school system. In 1947, he moved with his family to a farm north of Hartley. He was confirmed and baptized at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin.

From September 1952 through August of 1954, Bill served his country with the United States Army during the Korea Conflict. He was stationed in Seoul with the 21st Transportation Car Company, a division of the Eighth Army. On April 12, 1953, the company was moved to Monsan, Korea where he drove a jeep or a sedan carrying the generals to the peace talks at Panmunjom. Bill received the honor of driving the two-star general to the cease fire signing on July 27, 1953. The rest of his tour, Bill spent as driver for General Maxwell Taylor, as well as Vice President Nixon and his wife during their week-long visit to Korea.

On Jan. 16, 1955, Bill was united in marriage to Vernice Lenore Wright at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley. They lived on a farm in the May City-Hartley area, farming and raising livestock until retiring in 1997. Bill then worked for Lorch Farms doing what he enjoyed the most, driving tractor.

Bill and Vernice always loved to go “junking” together; they even started their own business, VW Junk, which Bill operated until 2020. He was always ready for a good game of cards with friends or family, but his favorite time was spent with his grandkids and great-grandkids.

Bill was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hartley and the Melvin American Legion Post #470.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, Bill passed away at Cherokee Specialty Care in Cherokee, at the age of 91 years, one month and 15 days.

He is survived by two daughters: Diann Ehlers, of Paullina; and Donna (Richard) Miller, of Sutherland; two sons: Dennis Klatt, of Spencer; and Darry (Bobbi) Klatt, of Hartley; nine grandchildren: Jeremiah Ehlers, Joshua (Lyn) Ehlers, Sarah (William) Deranleau, Deb Peters, Hilary (Paul) Becker, Hannah Klatt (Mitchell Klingsporn), Grace Klatt, Faith Klatt and Mason (Sybrina) Klatt; 18 great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandson, Nathan; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother, Larry (Lois) Klatt, of Hartley; three sisters: Betty (Richard) Schmidt and Ellen Ackerman, both of Spencer; and Kathryn Karlsen, of Melvin; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Vernice; infant son, Dale William; his parents; four brothers: James, Thomas, John and Otto, Jr. “Butch”; three sisters: infant Ann Klatt, Merna Jacobs and Lola Yock