John James William Kloeckl, 83

John James William Kloeckl, 83, died peacefully at his home on Oct. 16, 2011, following a hard-fought battle with cancer. “We praise our Father in Heaven that he is now resting peacefully.”

John was born April 14, 1928, in New Ulm, Minnesota to Frank and Mary Hillesheim Kloeckl. Here while growing up, he developed his lifelong love of working on the farm.

John's early years were spent working various farms in the New Ulm area. At age 18 he joined the Army and served two years during the Korean War era.

On Jan. 27, 1958, John married Mary Dardis. They moved to Gilford to continue farming. During this time their three sons, Steve, Dave and Ken, were born. In 1963, John and his family moved across the mountains to make their home in Kalispell. It was here their daughter Ruth was born.

John worked at a variety of jobs after arriving in Kalispell. He began raising animals both for feeding his family and supplementing their income. He also worked for Kalispell Feed and Grain for several years. In 1967, he began a 25-plus years truck driving career with McElroy and Wilken. Even after retirement, his days of driving truck part-time brought him great joy.

It was the simple pleasures in life that brought great joys to John. A meal surrounded by his family, conversation and a cup of coffee at Finnegan’s, fiddle music and a lively jig at the Eagles, or a fully-loaded grain truck waiting to be unloaded.

“Farmer John” will lovingly be remembered by family and friends. But most importantly, so many lives have been immensely impacted by his loving acts of kindness and his enduring heart of thankfulness no matter what the day brought.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents; and siblings, sisters Valeria and Lester Kading, Dolores and Arthur Dietz, Joyce Stadick, and Jane LaPlante, and brothers Larry and Marge Kloeckl, Frank Kloeckl, and Joe Kloeckl.

He is survived by his children, Steve of Phoenix, Dave of Kalispell and his son Joe Grant, and Joe's daughter Addyson, Ken and Pam and their children, Curt, Zane and Brock of Kalispell, and Ruth and Wayne Stoffel and their children, Katelyn, Marguerite and John of Marathon, Wis.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Goodman and his staff, along with Hospice Home Health Options, for their compassionate care given to John in his fight against cancer.

Funeral services for John will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at the Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery. There will be a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Eagle's Ballroom, 37 First Street, in Kalispell.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Suite 101, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for John's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view John's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.