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Livestream link for Karl W. Kludas

KARL W. KLUDAS, 91 , of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 13, 2022, surrounded by family as he took his last breath on earth and his next breath in heaven.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Oakdale Evangelical Free Church in Meriden, Iowa.  Pastor Tyler Stauffer will officiate.  Burial will be in  Oak Hill Cemetery in Cherokee, Iowa.  Military rites will be conducted at the graveside by L.A. Wescott Post #2253 and the Cherokee American Legion. Public visitation will be on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com .

Karl was born on February 28, 1931 to Ralph and Dorothy (Johnson) Kludas.  He was raised on a farm east of Cherokee along with his brother, Jim.  While Karl attended Cherokee High School, graduating in 1949, he spent his sophomore year of school at Pillsbury Military Academy in Owatonna, Minnesota.

After high school, Karl took on a variety of jobs to help finance his dream of full-time farming; welding at Caswell Mfg., delivering milk for Dee's Dairy, construction work for Langer Construction Company and any job that not only aided in his long-term goal, but assisted in helping others reach theirs.

On January 28, 1957, Karl married Evelyn Wester at the Oakdale Evangelical Free Church.  They lived a short time in Cherokee before moving to a farm in Buena Vista County where they farmed and raised chickens.  Later, in 1963, they purchased their current farm site east of Cherokee.  Here, they built a family farm that became a sanctuary to them along with their two daughters, Karen and Molly, and their families.  Karl and Evelyn shared a love of the land and were faithful stewards of it; always grateful for how God provided for them.

Karl never turned down an opportunity to be with family.  He loved taking them on lengthy summer getaways, usually in the family camper.  Trips to Canada and down the Pacific Coastline, Florida, the Black Hills, Mackinaw Island, Colorado or even just north to Okoboji, has provided many memories and lots of stories.  The grandsons still reminisce about trips to Disney World and Branson and what fun-loving, adventure-seeking grandparents they were blessed with.

When not running between the grandson's many activities, you could find Karl enjoying a cup of coffee with friends while sharing a joke or two, volunteering in his church, keeping up with current events and enjoying nature whenever possible.

Karl was an active member in the Oakdale Evangelical Free Church, serving as Sunday School teacher, Church Elder, and various other positions within the church.  He also served on the Aurelia Coop Elevator Board, was a dedicated member of Gideon's International, an 8 year member of the National Guard and a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 65 years, Evelyn; daughters, Karen (Dan) Roghair of Orange City, Iowa and Molly (Darrin) Meendering of Springfield, Minnesota; grandchildren, Andrew (Kelsey) Roghair of Orange City, Iowa and their daughters, Claire, Taya, and Hannah; Matthew Roghair of Des Moines, Iowa; Lee Roghair (fiancé Madie Oostra) of Orange City, Iowa; Grady Meendering of Springfield, Minnesota and Kale Meendering of Cherokee, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Jim (Mary) Kludas.