Gary Kleven Obituary
Gary LeRoy Kleven, age 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio, surrounded by family. Gary was born August 8, 1941, in Tracy, Minnesota, to Oliver Kleven and Muriel (Hougen) Kleven.
Gary grew up in Westbrook, Minnesota and attended Iowa State University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Administration in 1963. While at Iowa State, Gary played basketball and baseball as an ISU Cyclone and belonged to Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He started his career in the General Mills Management Training program in Minneapolis and transferred to Kenner Products in Cincinnati, where his diligence and conviction resulted in advancement, and he ultimately completed his career as Senior Vice President and Controller. Throughout his career he connected with co-workers by participating in basketball, softball, golf, and tennis.
During his leisure time, he loved to attend his children's and grandchildren's activities, travel with his family, read books and watch sports.
Gary is survived by his wife, Maurene (Soults) Kleven; children, Jody (Matt) Winkelmann of Cincinnati, Paula (Mark) Bell of Cincinnati, and Mark Kleven of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren Jack Winkelmann, Sam Winkelmann, Abby Bell (Westen) Judd, Josh Bell, and Chloe Bell; great grandson Grayson Judd; sister, Laura (Mark) Eichner of Plano, Texas; sisters-in law, Linda Kleven of Albany, Oregon, and Jeanne (Soults) Lutze of Blacksburg, Virginia; and numerous nephews and a niece along with their families.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Muriel Kleven; brothers, Larry Kleven and Joel Kleven; sister, Julie Kleven; brothers-in-law, Bud Soults and Fred Lutze; and nieces, Joanna Kleven and Alyssa (Kleven) Morrison.
Services will be held at Mount Washington Presbyterian Church on Friday, February 6, 2026 with visitation at 10:30 AM and service at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, Gary would appreciate donations made to International Rett Syndrome Foundation (https://www.rettsyndrome.org).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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