Gilbert E. "Gil" Klefstad

Gilbert E. "Gil" Klefstad, age 88, a Council Bluffs resident since 1947, passed away August 8, 2007, at Bethany Lutheran Home.

Gil was born May 20, 1919, in Felch, Mich., to the late Ole and Anna (Rian) Klefstad. He graduated from Felch High School and served our country in the U.S. Navy from 1940-1946, including duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Gil married Julia "Judy" Chapin on December 31, 1945 and to this union three children were born.

He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 22 since 1948. Gil also served in the Iowa House of Representatives from 1959-1960 and in the Iowa Senate from 1964-1968. He was also a member of VFW Post #737, Excelsior Masonic Lodge No. 259 A.F. & A.M. and was very active in the Democratic Party.

Gil was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Klefstad, in 1990; sister, Geraldine Hammerly; and brother, Marlyn Klefstad.

He is survived by his two daughters, Kaye Shepard and husband, Mark, of Pacific Junction, Faye Waterman and husband, Dana, of Bettendorf; one son, Gib Klefstad and wife, Dianne, of Hockley, Texas; grandchildren, Jon Waterman, Brody Klefstad, Robin Shepard Allen, Ann Waterman, Molly Shepard, Paige Klefstad Weatherly, Rian Waterman; 5 great grandchildren; sister, Alphild Setzer, of Brookfield, Wisc.; brothers, Jorgen Klefstad and wife, Joanne, of Kingsford, Mich., Clifford Klefstad and wife, Barbara, of Lansing, Mich.; nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the Family, Saturday, 2-3 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 3:00 p.m. at Cutler-O'Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Home. Rev. Noel Kropp, Chaplain of Bethany Lutheran Home will officiate. Military Rites will be tendered by VFW Post #737. A luncheon will follow at Mark and Kaye Shepard's residence, 20508 Gobbler Ridge in Pacific Junction.

The family will direct memorials.

A special thank you to the Bethany Lutheran Home Staff for the wonderful care given to our father.