Willis Dale Kleinwolterink, the son of Cornie and Lizzie (Nieuwendorp) Kleinwolterink was born on May 13, 1933 in Sheldon, Iowa. He attended country school, the Sheldon Christian School and graduated from Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa.

Willis was united in marriage to Eleanor Joan Landhuis on July 29, 1953 at the First Reformed Church in Boyden, Iowa.

Willis joined the United States Army in January of 1954, serving during the Korean Conflict for 2 years. After his discharge they moved back to the family farm near Sheldon, where he farmed. Willis and Eleanor moved into Sheldon in 1992 and he retired from farming in 1996.

Willis passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center in Sheldon, Iowa reaching the age of 82 years, 10 months and 5 days.

He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Sheldon; the Earl T. Connway American Legion Post #318 of Sanborn; the NRA and the Handyman Club of America. He loved farming and being a Steward of the Land, shooting, fishing, woodworking and golfing; including paring the Sheldon Golf Course both right and left handed.

Willis was an accomplished and gifted woodworker and loved the challenge of fixing and repairing wood furniture for others; in addition to creating new wood items of his own design for family and friends.

Willis enjoyed a good steak and a chocolate malt (extra malted). He especially loved his wife and took great joy and pride in his children, grand and great grandchildren and loved them dearly.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Eleanor of 62 years and their children and spouses, James and Judith Kleinwolterink of Sheldon, IA; Jayne and Donald Pfaffenbach of Des Moines, IA; Timothy and Michele Kleinwolterink of Sioux Falls, SD; 6 grandchildren, Jenna (Lee) Stover, Jori Kleinwolterink, Jordyn (Nicole) Kleinwolterink; Kira Brandt, Kyle Brandt; Eric Kleinwolterink; 2 great-grandchildren, Jace and Lincoln; a sister, Helen Arlene Dykstra of Sanborn, IA; brother-in-law, Harry Dykstra of Rock Valley, IA; and a sister-in-law, Harriet and her husband, Wilfred Cleveringa of Sioux Center, IA; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Joyce and her husband, Ray Vander Broek and Delores Dykstra; a brother-in-law, Hessel Dykstra.