DELMAR KLATASKE

Delmar J. Klataske, 82 of Lewistown, Mo., passed peacefully at home Tuesday December 13, 2022 surrounded by his children after leaving County Aire Retirement Center.  

Delmar was born December 16, 1939 in Hanover, Kan. The family would later move to Baring Mo., where Delmar would graduate high school and attended Missouri State Teachers College.  

He was united in marriage to Phyllis M. Rhoades on March 5, 1962 at Baring, Mo. He and his wife would move to Lewistown, Mo., where he would operate a gas station before opening his own building in 1967 where he worked as an auto body mechanic, continue his wrecker service, and expanded to a used car salesman alongside Karl Bishoff.  

In 1971 he would begin farming land north of town where he would pride himself on the fleet of Minneapolis Moline equipment. Delmar would also serve as a volunteer fireman for over 40 years.  In 1971, Delmar repaired and repainted a MoDot GMC truck converted to a fire truck for the department.

Delmar was an active member of Queen of Peace church of Ewing Mo. Aside from the vocational activities above he also enjoyed participating in tractor pulls where in 1975 he won the Missouri State Fair in his class using his rebuilt and repainted Montgomery Ward tractor.  He was awarded the Honorary Life Membership of the Knight’s of Columbus and honored in the 2015 Lewistown Appreciation Days for his years of service to the community.  Delmar and his wife enjoyed dancing, winning a local twist contest, having get togethers with friends and camping with the family. In later years, Delmar enjoyed holidays with his extended family including his great grandchildren, often bringing a smile to his face as they sat on his lap.

He is survived by four children: Terri Klataske Bugh (Kenny) of Lewistown, Mo., Barbara Klataske McKenzie (Michael) of St. Peters, Mo., Angie Klataske Clark (Edwin) of Fowler, Ill., and Michael Klataske (Jay Clawson) of St Louis, Mo. He is also survived by nine grandchildren: Tara Schroder (Doug Clay) of Canton Mo., Tasia Lay (James Cannon) of Jacksonville, Ill., and Kelsey Hickman (Shandall) of Quincy, Ill., Amanda Runyon (Joe) of St Peters, Mo., Shawn McKenzie of St Peters, Mo., Hannah McKenzie (Loren Morgan) of St Peters, Mo., and Brittany Colonna (Andy) of Miami, Fla., Autumn Ellwood (Jake) of Monticello, Ia., Abigail Clark of Fowler, Ill.;  20 great grand children: Kaitlynn and Carissa Schroder; Nariah, Rihanna and Xhavier Clay; Devon and Aiden Cannon; Cameron Davis, Jace Lay, Kelshawn, Shaniah, Ashton, Brevohn and Lilly Hickman; Evan, Owen and Noah Runyon; Liam, Merrick and Daewin Ellwood; his sister Carol Klataske Matlick (John) of Wentzville, Mo., and sister in law Mary Anne Rhoades Fox (Lee) of Kirksville, Mo., and one aunt, Mary Klataske Barton of Arvada, Colo.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John Henry and Alice Keller Klataske and his wife, Phyllis Klataske on September 16, 2009.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held December 17, 2022 at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church at Ewing, Missouri led by Father Callistus Okoroji.
Burial was in St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery at Baring, Missouri.

Visitation was held Dec. 16, 2022 at Arnold’s Funeral Home in Lewistown, Missouri. Firefighter honors will be presented by Western Lewis Fire Protection District and the Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistant Team.

Memorials may be made to Queen of Peace Ladies Sodality or Lewistown Fire Auxiliary.
Pallbearers: Bobby Klataske, Shawn McKenzie, Cameron Davis, Evan Runyon, Jake Ellwood, Joe Runyon, James Cannon and Harley Griffin. Honorary Pallbearers: Rick Orr, Junior McKenzie, Brandon Schroder, Jay Clawson, David Lay and Doug Clay.

Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldsfuneral home.net