Joan ‘Joanie’ Kleve, 85, Ralph ‘Arkie’ Kleve, 91

CRESCO - Joan “Joanie” M. Kleve, age 85, of Cresco, Iowa died on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 and was joined 12 hours later on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019 by her husband, Ralph “Arkie” J. Kleve, age 91, both at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, surrounded by their family.

A Mass of Christian Burial for the couple will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019 at 11 a.m. with Father Dennis Cain officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019 from 4-7 p.m. at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco, and will continue at the church for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Arkie Kleve was born on May 6, 1927 in Ossian, Iowa to Hugo and Mary (Wenthold) Kleve. Joanie Vokaty was born on Feb. 5, 1933 in Cresco, to Joseph and Mary (Ludwig) Vokaty. 

Arkie and Joanie were married on May 10, 1950 in Lourdes, Iowa. In 1959, they purchased their farm and Cresco Drayline. They milked cows for 43 years and hauled freight. Family and faith came first in their lives, and they loved being around their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Joanie enjoyed baking, cooking, sewing and gardening. Arkie taught himself how to play the harmonica and guitar. Before their marriage, he played with local bands. They were active members of the church, serving as ushers and lectors. Joanie was a member of the Rosary Society and the funeral committee. Arkie was a Knights of Columbus member. 

Arkie and Joanie loved fishing and traveling around the western U.S., as well as taking two trips a year in the spring and fall to Las Vegas to visit the many casinos. They danced every chance they had, partaking in polka, clogging, waltzes and square dancing in the Cresco Square Dance Club. The couple were true soulmates who did everything together throughout their 68 years of marriage and are now dancing together in Heaven.

Arkie and Joanie are survived by their children, Tom (Mary) Kleve of Cresco, Debbie (Larry) Midthus of Cresco, Randy (Paula) Kleve of Ridgeway, Iowa, Sue (Wayne) Bolson of Cresco and Curt (Nicki) Kleve of Cresco; grandchildren, Brenda (Randy) Mashek of Cresco, Sara Kleve of Cresco, Melissa (Jason) Hannasch of Camdenton, Mo., Brian (Michelle) Midthus of Cresco, Laura (Tom) Schmauss of Ridgeway, Ryan (Cathy) Kleve of Maple Grove, Minn., Kayla (Justin) Smith of Cresco, Tyler Bolson of Cresco, Jenna Bolson of Cresco, Roczen Kleve of Cresco, and a baby boy on the way; and great-grandchildren, Macie, Tommy, Kaitlyn, Lexi, Mackenzie, Madison, Jake, Mitchell, Carter, Kyleigh and London.

They are also survived by Arkie’s siblings, Marie McAllister of Cresco, Jeanette Chwialkowski of Minneapolis, Minn., Joanne (Don) Carolan of Cresco, Diane (Norb) Bohr of Decorah, Iowa and Roger (Elaine) Kleve of Cresco and sisters-in-law, Loretta Vokaty of Cresco and Janis Vokaty of South Carolina.

They were preceded in death by their parents; Joanie’s brothers, Raymond Vokaty, Joe Vokaty and Arnold Vokaty; Joanie’s sister, Geraldine (Norman) Bilidt; and Arkie’s sisters, Deloris (Darryl) Davis and Anna Mae (Don) Scharnweber.

Online condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.