Gerald Edward Klonglan

Gerald Edward Klonglan 86, of Ames, Iowa passed away peacefully with family at his side on March 17, 2023.

A visitation will be 5-7 pm Friday, June 2 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave, Ames, Iowa 50010. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday June 3, also at Bethesda. The service will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/998800/b1cc9c0a1a. A private burial will be at the Iowa State University Cemetery in Ames.

Gerald was born April 1, 1936 in rural Story County, Iowa to Bernie and Willene Klonglan, the second of two children. Growing up he was very involved with family, church, school activities, and 4-H, which was a very important influence in developing his lifelong values. Gerald graduated from Fernald High School in 1954 and went on to earn BS, MS, and PhD degrees from Iowa State College (now Iowa State University) focusing on Rural Sociology.

On June 29, 1960 Gerald was united in marriage to Eileen Becvar of Colo, Iowa. They have resided in Ames, Iowa for 63 years. He was a member of numerous organizations, including Bethesda Lutheran Church, Rotary International, FarmHouse fraternity, and was a founding member of the ISU Foundation's Order of the Knoll. Gerald proudly served his country in the Army Reserve.

Gerald was an emeritus professor of sociology at Iowa State University and former associate dean for national programs and assistant director of the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station. A nationally recognized sociologist and advocate for the college's global involvement and diversity programs, Gerald received his bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate in rural sociology from Iowa State University.

During his tenure, Gerald led the charge for the college's educational collaboration and research on a global level. Under his leadership, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences was top in the nation among Land-Grant institutions for grants awarded from the USDA National Research Initiative Program. His involvement was key to long-term global grant development projects in places like Malawi, Ghana, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, and China.

Gerald was a key figure in establishing research collaborations and graduate education projects with 1890 Land-Grant Colleges and Native American Indian Tribal Land-Grant Colleges-many of which remain in place today. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including a USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service Award; a Gamma Sigma Delta Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award of Merit, an Iowa State University Alumni Association Alumni Service Award, and the George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award.

In retirement, Gerald devoted much of his time developing relationships and projects in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania primarily through Bethesda Lutheran Church, Rotary International, and Empower Tanzania. Gerald also enjoyed attending Iowa State University athletic events, vacationing, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Gerald is survived by his wife Eileen, son Jason, daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and James Potts, grandchildren Carolyn and Alexander Potts, and family friend James Smejkal. He is also survived by his brother Eugene Klonglan, niece Kirsten (Doug) Nolde, and her family. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Sylvia Klonglan, and nephew Eric Klonglan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bethesda Lutheran Church Tanzania Ministry Team Fund or the Gerald E. and D. Eileen Klonglan Scholarship at the Iowa State University Foundation. Online contributions may be made by visiting www.foundation.iastate.edu/klonglan and designating fund #0103931.