Jorden Oscar Kleier

Jorden Oscar Kleier, age 76, was born December 19th, 1945 in London, Wisconsin and died December 19th, 2021 in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin.

Jorden was born to John Edward and Alma Bertha C. Kleier, the 3rd of 7 children, on a farm near London, WI.

Jorden grew up mostly on farms, one near Albany, WI, another near Monroe, WI, and another near Woodford, WI. On these farms he learned strength in hard work, and how to serve those around him. He would drive his brothers and sisters to their one-room schoolhouse on a Ford tractor and deliver milk cans full of water to their house so they could drink, bathe, and cook. And would work hard at all the tasks the farms required.

He attended high school in Monroe, WI for 3 and half years, moving with his family to a farm near South Wayne, WI, finishing school there, and graduating in 1964. During school his interests drew away from sports, and towards the mechanical. Once he got his driver's license, he became the primary driver for the family, taking his brothers and sisters to school and church, up to an hour and a half away from where they lived! Jorden took on a lot of responsibility for farm work, taking over general operations while his father worked off-farm jobs, including owning a store called Johns Grocery and Variety. It wasnt all work though, one of his most memorable experiences was a class trip to New York City! After his older brothers, Edward and John, moved away, he became Head Farmer and Herdsman.

After high school Jorden had to leave the family farm to serve the military and fulfill his duty to his country. As a conscientious objector, he was placed into a government program for 2 years, testing milk for Agricultural Records Cooperation (ARC) to help farmers better their herds. His duty done, he attended an automotive technical college in Chicago, and developed skills that he carried forward into automotive repair. During this time, he worked with his older brother John, delivering pizza and towing vehicles. After a time, Jorden moved back to Monroe, WI and worked for Dearth Motors for a season, then went back to farming.

He met Janice through his brother Edward in Pasadena California, on a blind date. They were married on November 29th, 1970, and moved to Madison, WI where they raised two children, Jorden Randall ("Randy"), born in 1973, and Joyce Lucinda ("Cindy"), born in 1976.

In the spring of 1978, Jorden, Janice, Randy and Cindy purchased a herd of cattle, and moved back to the family farmland. In 1984, a third child, Joel Benjamin ("Ben") was born.

In 1990 Jorden sold his milk cows and farming equipment, moving his family to Esmond, Illinois where he started working as an independent tow truck operator for insurance recovery.

In 1992 Jorden and family moved back to Wisconsin, near a town called Denzer. He started working as a truck operator for Lycon Sand & Gravel out of Prairie du Sac, and worked there for 29 years, retiring in 2019.

Jorden enjoyed retirement with his wife, Janice, welcoming his two grandchildren, Sen Oscar and Calvin Theodore, into the family in 2017 and 2020.

He passed away on December 19, 2021 after a late diagnosis of heart disease, while struggling with recovery from pneumonia and coronavirus.

Jorden was loved by a great many people. He was always ready to help, never afraid to work hard to serve others, and a well of mechanical advice. He loved his family, and enjoyed automobiles, making things, reading, and farming.

Preceded in death by parents John E & Alma BC Kleier; siblings Edward CA & Nancy Kleier, John E Kleier; brother-in-law Allen Blair, nephew Mark R Kleier

Survived by his wife Janice Kleier, children Jorden & Christine Kleier, Cindy Kleier, and Joel & Jessica Kleier, grandchildren Sen and Calvin Kleier, siblings Eloise Blair, Hollis & Joyce Kleier, Violet Kleier, and Keith & Virgina Kleier, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home with Pastor Roxi Gnatzig officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.