Willis Gerald "Willie" Kluss

Willis (Willie) Gerald Kluss, 93 of Belmond, Iowa passed away peacefully with family at his side on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

Willie was born on May 29th, 1932, on the Schroeder Farm (Knute Watne) in Galt, Iowa to Alvin and Olive (Schroeder) Kluss. He grew up in Galt and graduated from Clarion High School in 1949.

Following high school Willie enlisted in the Navy where he served as an Engineman onboard the submarines USS Sea Fox (SS 402) and USS Blue Gill (SS-242) for 4 years.

Willie and Alice Elizabeth (Beth) Cooke were joined in marriage at the United Congregational Church in 1956 in Clarion where they made their home and raised three sons Pete, Mitch and Dean.

Willie was employed with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) as a mechanic out of the Clarion location. He had several side businesses including tree removal during the dutch elm disease outbreak in the 70's, grain bin moving when the government got out of the storage business, stump grinding and driving semi after his retirement from the IDOT.

Beth Kluss passed away in 1999 after a battle with Leukemia and Willie was fortunate to be introduced to Janyce Kinseth or as Dad called her "Stargazer."

Willie often remarked that most men are lucky to find the love of their life once in a lifetime but that he had been blessed twice! Willie and Janyce were joined in marriage in Belmond in December of 2001 at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Willie and Janyce made their home in Belmond and enjoyed many winters with friends and family at their trailer in Ft Meyer Beach, Florida.

Willie is remembered for his success as a stock car driver and was inducted into the Kossuth County Racing Hall of Fame in August of 2015. He is remembered as always driving state department of transportation trucks, purchased at auction, that he had painted a tan color that he and Dean Bohy termed "shit-muckle-dunn".

He served 22 years on the Clarion Volunteer Fire Department. Willie was an avid card player, dancer, singer and whistler, he enjoyed hunting and fishing and made annual trips to Colorado Elk hunting on the Joe Sperry Ranch with his sons until he was 85.

Willie took pride in the fact that he and his sons were all veterans with a combined total of 50 years of Naval service. He enjoyed working with his sons on the farm both in the shop and in the field.

Willie is survived by his Wife Janyce, Brother Tom (Linda) Kluss, Son's Pete Kluss, Mitch Kluss and Dean (Lisa) Kluss, Stepson Jeff (Dixie) Kinseth, Step Daughters Julie (Earl) Kalkwarf, Jane (Randy) Turner, Jill (Tracy) Bedell, Jody (Tim) Carlson, Grandchildren Lainie Mulvanny, Tara (Rod) Martin, Kelli Kluss, Ryan (Sarah) Kluss, Andrew (Michelle) Kluss, 13 Step Grandchildren, 10 Great Grandchildren and 30 Step Great Grandchildren. Willie was preceded in death by his Parents and Wife Beth.

Willie, like his father before him donated his body to science through the Des Moines University of Medicine & Health Sciences. In honor of his request there will not be a memorial service, but know this, Willie cherished times with family and friends and his family thank you for all the memories you've shared with us and your kind words, they mean so much! Thank You!

The family requests that any memorials be made to St. Croix Hospice of Humboldt.