Geraldine Kleespies

Geraldine “Geri” Kleespies, 88, of Breda, died Sunday, April 27, 2014 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, 2014 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. The Celebrant will be Fr. Gary Snyder. Music will be by Marilyn Hundling and the St. Bernard’s Choir. Gift Bearers will be Geri’s children: Pat Schroeder and Mike Kleespies. Eucharistic Minister will be Joan Heiman. Casket Bearers will be Adam Kleespies, Jake Kleespies, Amanda Kleespies, Ashlie Koenig, Nick Schroeder, and Justin Carpenter. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Breda on Wednesday, after 4:30 p.m. where there will be a Rosary at 5 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Breda, and online condolences may be left for Geri’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com. Born on September 4, 1925, near Mt. Carmel, Iowa, Geraldine was the daughter of Anton and Mayme (Lammers) Heiman. She attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, and later graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in Breda. On February 19, 1946 she was united in marriage to John Kleespies at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. The couple lived in Stuart, Iowa for a short time before returning to Breda in 1948. John and Geri owned and operated J & J Café in Breda for several years. Geri worked as office secretary for the Farm Service Association from 1962 to 1982 when she retired. Geri was very generous with her time volunteering at various places in the community. She was active with the St. Bernard’s Ladies guild, and the St. Bernard’s Quilters. She enjoyed needle work, fishing, pheasant hunting, golfing, having fun, and traveling to see family and friends. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family. Geri was a member of the Breda American Legion Auxiliary, St. Bernard’s Ladies Guild, The National Catholic Society of Foresters, and St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. Survivors include: her children: Pat Schroeder and her husband Marty of Leander, Texas, and Mike Kleespies and his wife Lori of Lawler; grandchildren: Ashlie Koenig, Nick Schroeder, Adam Kleespies, Amanda Kleespies, and Jake Kleespies; two great grandchildren: Karly and Coby Koenig; a sister Bernice Henry of Newport Beach, California; her sister-in-law: Joan Heiman of Jefferson. Geri was preceded in death by her parents, husband John, her brothers: Edwin Heiman, Eugene Heiman, Merle Heiman, Richard Heiman, Clarence Heiman, Harold Heiman, and her sister: Ella Mae Fee.

Geraldine Kleespies

September 4, 1925 - April 27, 2014