Virgil Klaas

The smile, laugh and jovial spirit of Virgil Klaas, age 79, of rural Clemons, left this earthly life on the afternoon of Friday, March 2, 2018 at his home with his family at his side.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in State Center. He will be laid to rest in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery at Haverhill. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. A memorial fund is being established. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.Born on May 19, 1938, in Marshalltown, he was the son of Joseph and Coletta (Stalzer) Klaas. He grew up on a farm near Laurel until moving to Haverhill. He received his education at Laurel, St. Joseph’s Parochial School in Haverhill and later from St. Mary’s in Marshalltown. In 1959 Virgil was married to Debra Pickering and they later divorced. Virgil was employed for many years as a farm hand for the neighbors, a route driver for Coca-Cola, driver for Mead’s Dairy, with the M & St.L, Chicago Northwestern and UP Railroads and had also owned and operated a bar in Liscomb and Virg’s Roundup in Whitten, IA. His absolute favorite job was driving a school bus for the Marshalltown and West Marshall School Districts. He enjoyed the children and the children loved him. On October 8, 1990, he was united in marriage to Linda (Case) Spurlin in Marshalltown. They made their home in Marshalltown until moving to Clemons. Virgil was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in State Center and the Catholic Order of Forester’s. It was a good day if music was involved. He was known for picking up the guitar and ministering to those around. He was a great cook and during a train derailment years ago, he stayed aside his co-workers for 60 hours making sure they had food to eat. The return to farm life was important to him as it reflected his youth and growing up- he found peace in it and the enjoyment of his ATV and wildlife. Virgil treasured his friends and family and thoroughly enjoyed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Left to cherish his memory are Linda, his loving wife of 27 years; his children: Mychelle (Kent) Dickenson of Beaman, Kevin (Carla) Klaas of North Carolina, Kerry (Patty) Klaas of Marshalltown, Shari Harding (Steve Hay) of Marshalltown, Jay (Isabel) Klaas of Marshalltown and Kristy Gray of Des Moines; also surviving him are his grandchildren and their children: Jasmine (Jason) Goeders, Megan, Rylie and Drew; Michael (Denise Overstake) Jackley, Jr. and Kaydn; Shannon (Linda) Terry, Darrin and Lilly; Charity (Morgan, Jr.) Garner, Nathan and Natalie; Jessica (Michael) Reynolds, Bailee and Maddix; Annie Klaas, Daisy and Autumn; Candace (Jr Rodriguez) Klaas, Jeremy, Zoe, and Izabella; Christopher (Amber Risius) Klaas, Kayden and Brooklyn; Abbigail Klaas; Trevor Harding, Tara Harding and Benjamin; BreAnn (Jay Harkless) Klaas and Jude; Chelsea (Cody McKeog) Klaas, Deanna Lynn, Collin and Alleyna; Cody Klaas; Zecharia and Hannah Klaas along with their mother, Tara Klaas; Tanner Spurlin and Jacey Roberts; Cameron and Holden Gray; his sister, Darlene Hughes of Polk City, IA, and sister-in-law, Catherine Klaas of Marshalltown; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.In death, Virgil rejoined his parents, his son, Justin; stepson, Jason Spurlin; great-granddaughters, Liberty and Lauryn; son-in-law, Michael Jackley, Sr. and brother, Gerald Klaas.