KLEEFELD: John Bernard
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April 10, 1927 – November 17, 2014
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John Bernard Kleefeld of Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Muenster, SK), passed away peacefully at Humboldt District Hospital on Monday, November 17, 2014.He was 87 years of age, and the last surviving member of his siblings.John was born on April 10, 1927, to John Sr. and Maria (nee Abeling) Kleefeld in Oldenburg, Germany.Ìý He was six months old when his parents and seven siblings immigrated to Canada and homesteaded in the Muenster district.John grew up there and attended Arras Country School.One evening in 1948, he attended a dance in St. Gregor where he met his future wife, Doreen Korte.In 1950, John and Doreen were married at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Muenster.They began their life together on the Kleefeld farm. John and Doreen worked side-by-side and raised a family of four children, three daughters and one son.In 1981, John and Doreen retired from farming and moved into Muenster where John continued driving school bus until 1991. His favourite daily pastimes were going for coffee and playing cards. They relocated to Eastside Village in Humboldt in 2009. John loved both communities he and Doreen lived in.Other favourite pastimes were following sports, playing cards and pool, and dancing.His greatest source of joy was derived from spending time with his grandchildren.John was known as a very unselfish, kind, loving and caring person who always put others ahead of himself. Of utmost importance to him were his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his faith - which was always unwavering.John will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his two daughters, one son, six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren: Jeanette Barlage of Humboldt and family, Michael (Carla) Barlage and children Logan, Noah and Paige;Mark (Joyce) Barlage and children Breanna and Dawson; Jonathon (Brianne) Barlage; and Joyce (Ervin) McGrath of LeRoy, SK, and family, Christina (Kevin) Martens McGrath and children Mackenzie, Kaia, Ryker and Kane; Ashley (Kendra) McGrath and children William and Rowan; and Lloyd (Gail) Kleefeld of Muenster and daughter Sarah Kleefeld;in-laws:Leona Kleefeld, Shirley Wolbaum, Don (Marilyn) Korte, Allan (Karen) Korte, and Rosella (Mel) Hamil; and by numerous nieces and nephews.He was predeceased by his wife, Doreen (nee Korte) Kleefeld; daughter, Carol Ann Kleefeld; son-in-law, Don Barlage; grandson, Derek McGrath; parents, John and Maria (nee Abeling) Kleefeld; brothers:Joseph (Elizabeth) Willenborg, Frank Kleefeld, Alfred Kleefeld, and August (Bernice) Willenborg; sisters:a twin sister in infancy, Elizabeth (Louis) Bley, Johanna (Hans Nienaber) (Ted) Ortman, Josepha (Joseph) Holtvogt, Paula (Ben) Vogelsang, Mary (John) Timmermann, and Charlotte (Joseph) Kuemper; and by in-laws:Ìý Ben and Hilda (nee Muyres) Korte, Marie Korte, Benno Korte, Ernie Korte, and Mary and Norman Korte (in infancy).The Prayer Service for John was held at St. Peter’s R.C. Cathedral, Muenster, on Thursday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m., led by Donna Lee Bergermann.Music ministry was provided by Myrna Britz accompanied by Christy Waldner.Scripture readers were Michael Barlage and Ashley McGrath, and the eulogy was delivered by Jeanette Barlage and Joyce McGrath.The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Peter’s R.C. Cathedral on Friday, November 21, at 10:30 a.m., celebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB.Others taking part were: Mackenzie Shabatoski, cross bearer; Lloyd Kleefeld, urnbearer; Christina Martens McGrath and Sarah Kleefeld, scripture readers; Jonathon Barlage, intentions; Mark and Joyce Barlage, giftbearers; Della Haeusler and Irene Szautner, memorial table attendants.Music ministry was provided by Gail Rueve and the St. Peter’s Parish Choir, accompanied by Christy Waldner. Honorary pallbearers were John's grandchildren, Michael Barlage, Mark Barlage, Jonathon Barlage, Christina Martens McGrath, Ashley McGrath and Sarah Kleefeld.Interment followed at St. Peter’s R.C. Cemetery.Memorial donations may be directed to the St. Peter’s Cathedral Restoration Fund.Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
