Joseph Kleespies

Joe Kleespies of Hermiston, formerly of Walla Walla, passed away December 14, 2014. He was 94.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at Assumption of the Blessed Mary Catholic Church, 2098 E. Alder Street in Walla Walla on Saturday, March 7, at 10:00 a.m.
Joe was a long time resident of Walla Walla and moved to Hermiston in 2013 to be near his daughter Carol.
Joe he was born in Osage, Iowa, on October 23, 1920, to Mabel and Joseph Kleespies Sr. At the beginning of World War II, Joe worked on the development of the B-29 bomber. After enlisting in the Army Air Forces, he served as a B-29 mechanic at several Army Air Forces bases during World War II.
Following his honorable discharge, Joe returned to Osage to farm and met Mary Ann Brumm of Staceyville, Iowa, whom he married in 1948. The young family moved to Seattle in the early 1950s, and then to Walla Walla. Joe and Mary purchased the Ice-Burg Drive In and operated the business until 1984. Joe was proud to have provided hundreds of local high school students their first job, many of whom worked their way through college. 
Joe was a member of Assumption Parish and Elks Lodge 287. He enjoyed volunteering at St Vincent de Paul and involvement with the DeSales High School Booster Club. In retirement Joe and Mary traveled extensively until Mary’s passing in 1990. Joe continued his travels, particularly enjoying fishing in Alaska and visiting his children and grandchildren.
Joe is predeceased by his wife Mary; a grandchild, Andrew Kleespies; and sisters Frances Larson and Ruth Shelledy. He is survived by his five children, Beth Hagenauer of Atascadero, Calif., Tim Kleespies of Seattle, Wash., Tom Kleespies of Loveland, Colo., John Kleespies of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Carol Clupny of Hermiston, Ore.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and twin sisters Joan Wetherell and Jean Taets, both of Osage, Iowa.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 308 W. Main St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.

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