Norman W. Kluever, 86, of Des Moines, Iowa went home to be with the Lord Friday evening, August 20, 2021, passing peacefully surrounded by his loving family.
Norman Walter Kluever was born in Davenport, Iowa on February 24, 1935, the son of Walter and Ann (Olson) Kluever. He grew up in Eldridge, Iowa and attended grade school at the one room schoolhouse in Long Grove, and graduated from DeWitt High School in 1953. A proud veteran who loved his country deeply, Norm served in the Army from 1954-1956. He met the love of his life Lucille Hobbs dancing at The Coliseum in Davenport and they were married on October 11, 1957. They made their first home in Davenport as he began a lifelong career as an engineer with Northwestern Bell/Qwest, moving soon after to raise their growing family in Ankeny, Iowa.
Norm was devoted to faith and family. The Kluever household was always a buzz with activities especially at the holidays with marshmallows in the fireplace, and backyard barbecues, rhubarb desserts, and volleyball games in the summertime.
Norm was a volunteer, a political activist, runner, nature lover, gardener, baker, and the BEST salsa maker. He was also an Elder, a Sunday school teacher, a mentor, a powerful speaker, and friend. Many may not know that Norm spent his retirement years collecting old phone systems to install in hospitals and other organizations that needed them. Toward that end, Norm used his skills in telecommunications as a missionary, taking trips to The Philippines, Nicaragua, and Kenya.
He was ever so kind and loving.
Norm was enormously proud of his family and extended family at The First Church of Christ (Ankeny). He joyfully lived his life as husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his adoring family.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 63 years Lucille, daughters, Lori O’Hern of Des Moines, Tami Ruppel of Des Moines and Susan (Thom) Berg of Iowa City, grandchildren, Charlotte, Connor, Owen, Marissa, Marina, Wolfgang, Kathryn, Josephine, Holden, and Jenson, and great-granddaughter Maya and a brother, Allan (Jan) Kluever of Missouri.
In death, Norman rejoins his parents Walter and Ann Kluever, sister, Judy Teeple and son-in-law, Bob O’Hern.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a..m. on Friday, August 27, 2021, at First Church of Christ, 310 N. W. Ash Drive, Ankeny, Iowa. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 26, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Church.
