James W. Kledehn

Jim was born May 6th, 1938 in German Wisconsin farmland. His younger brother, Ralph tormented him often as younger brothers often do! Jim met and fell in love with Betty on a blind date in high school and married Oct 4, 1958. Their first daughter, Cyndee was born June 18, 1959 and their second, Yvonne, not far behind. During this time Jim served in the National Guard and US Army, a passionate American patriot throughout his life. He became a police officer, loving his work with juvenile youth. Eventually his construction career shifted to the elevator industry and he moved his family to Colorado in 1970. Jim was a staunch union man, retired in 1998 as a proud union member of the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local #25, fondly remembered as "Elevator Jim".
Jim dabbled in flying small aircraft, attempting to both build his own plane and design a diesel aircraft engine. He had an engineer's mind, never tiring in pursuit of the next invention. After his retirement he tackled his biggest dream, designing and building his own home on the eastern plains of Strasburg with his much loved grandson, Trent. He had a passion for gardening, always working to improve the next year's bounty.
Jim was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in June 2010 and bravely fought the disease to the end, never losing hope that if he could hang on long enough, a cure would be found. He became a great-grandfather in July 2010 and lived long enough to celebrate his 52nd wedding anniversary….. to watch his Green Bay Packers win the 2011 Super Bowl….. to hear and see Alana, his great-grandaughter begin to crawl, chatter and squeal loudly (she too, has no "inside" voice!!).
We trust you will remember him fondly with a PBR in his hand, full of conversation and opinions about history, family, politics, curative medicine and what makes America great.

Saturday May 21st, 2011 4:00pm
Newcomer's Funeral Home and Crematory
190 Potomac Street Aurora, CO 80011

Order of Memorial Service

Family enters………………………………………….Soft Music

Welcome…………………………………………Richard Enman

A Tribute to my Father…………………………....Cyndee Enman

A Life in Pictures………………….……………..DVD-Mills Bros

A Life Lived……………………………….……..Richard Enman

Remarks and Memories…………….…….……….Ralph Kledehn
---anyone is welcome at this time to share a thought or memory---

Military Salute………………………..……Military Honor Guard

Receiving line to acknowledge Betty and the family

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The family of Jim Kledehn wishes to express their deepest gratitude for every expression of love and concern during their time of bereavement.
-Betty, Yvonne, Cyndee & Richard, Trent , and Ralph

RECEPTION following Memorial Service:
The Retired Enlisted Association
TREA Chapter #39
15821 E. Centretech Circle Aurora, CO 80011

DIRECTIONS
Go N. on Potomac toward 6th Avenue, turn right onto 6th
Turn right on N. Centretech PKWY (just past Chambers)
Turn left onto E. Centertech CIRCLE.
Turn right to stay on E. Centretech CIRCLE

DONATIONS
HALCYON HOSPICE
P.O. Box 177
Mead, Colorado 80542
or online at 'Info@halcyonhospice.com'.