Cecilia Kleffman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Cecilia Catherine Kleffman, daughter of Joseph and Pauline (Schenk) Reischl, was born on December 16, 1928 in Defiance, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Catholic Church in Defiance and graduated high school from St. Peter's Catholic School. On January 2, 1950, Cecilia was united in marriage to Harry G. Kleffman at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. Six children were born to this union: Patricia, Kenneth, David, Joan, Leo and Janet. Mom was a member of the Portsmouth Rosary Guild. Cecilia's personality was marked by independence of thought and judgment and humor to the delight of everyone who came to know her. As a farm wife for 50 years, Cecilia kept busy raising 6 kids with love and discipline. She was a meticulous housekeeper and avid vegetable gardener. She made a good team with her husband, Harry, keeping the farm books and teaching her children the value of a dollar and knowing the difference between what you need and want, and being thankful for what you have. In her 31 years of retirement, Cecilia enjoyed ceramics, cross stitching and making grocery money trying her luck at her favorite gaming machines. She enjoyed many mornings drinking coffee with friends at HyVee. Cecilia and Harry enjoyed traveling across the US to see and enjoy her children and grandchildren and to Europe to explore their roots. Cecilia died on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of ninety years, 9 months and 23 days. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, her son Kenneth and son Charles, son-in-law Matthew Mihina III, siblings Joseph Reischl, Edwin Reischl, Maryann Stephenson and Fr. Fredrick Reischl. She is survived by her children Patricia Mihina of Carol Stream, Illinois; David Kleffman and his wife Diane of Glenwood, Iowa; Joan and her husband James Herbst of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Leo Kleffman and his wife Tami of Omaha, Nebraska; Janet and her husband Gerald Mackenzie of Novato, California; 11 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, sister Leona Smith and her husband Don of Omaha, Nebraska, and brother Norbert Reischl and his wife Noni of Surprise, Arizona, nieces and nephews; other family members and friends.

Cecilia Kleffman

December 16, 1928 - October 9, 2019