Obituary of Derrill E. Klinzman

Derrill E. Klinzman, 90, of Iowa City, died Saturday, June 15, 2013, at his home. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 20th at the Iowa City First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the First United Methodist Church or Iowa City Hospice. Derrill Eugene Klinzman son of Roy and Ella Klinzman was born November 24, 1922 in Bagley, Iowa. He attended country school until third grade, and then transferred to Bagley Elementary and High School. He was an avid sportsman during his high school years, and was especially proud of his abilities in baseball, basketball and football. He was elected captain of his 6-man football team as a senior, and pitched a no-hit baseball game against Yale, Iowa his senior year. After high school, he attended the University of Iowa, receiving his BA in PE. in 1947. He was a member of the social fraternity Phi Epsilon Kappa. He continued his participation in sports at the U, and was issued a suit to play freshman basketball the fall of 1941. He received his Masters and Master plus 30 at the University of Iowa. He played Semi- Pro Baseball with the Perry Hylback Wildcats and the Bagley town team for several years. One of his greatest disappointments before graduation was being medically deemed unfit to defend his country in time of war in 1945. Upon graduating, his first position of teaching and coaching was at Hartford, Iowa, where he met and married Irene Rawson on August 21, 1949. He also taught in Duncombe, Truro, and Adair, Iowa before moving to Iowa City in 1959. He was in education for a total of 38 years before retiring in 1985. He was a lifetime member of NEA, past member of ISEA & ICEA, a former member of the Moose Lodge and 50 year plus member of First United Methodist Church. He was a passionate and loyal supporter of the Chicago Cubs and the Hawkeye Wrestling Team. His hobbies consisted of stamp collecting, golf, bridge, cheering on the Cubs and Hawkeye Wrestlers, and loved traveling with Irene to all 50 states. Derrill expected good discipline, high morals, honesty, integrity and respect from his children and students. He was a loving and gentle husband, and loved his family very much. He will be greatly missed! He is survived by his wife, Irene, children Shari (Steve) Heun, Cynde Palmer (Glenn Kirvan),Gary (Michelle) Klinzman, Randy (Loralie) Klinzman, Roselyn (Ricky) Bogs & Jacqueline (Jeff) Kuepker. Grandchildren: Kaye Albert, Mike Tompkins (Lesley Dalan), David (Jill) Klinzman, Kelly (Eric) Klein, Gary Stout, Mike Klinzman, Dan (Stacy) Klinzman, Jesse Klinzman Joseph Klinzman, Joshua (Katelyn Kovenock) Klinzman, Brian (Marcia) Lough, Emilie (Tom Egan), Jennifer Ferdig (Chris Nichols) Heather Kuepker, Corey Kuepker & Emma Kuepker. Great Grandchildren: Jeremy & Tyler Albert, Hannah, Olivia & Sophia Klinzman , Makynna Morgan, Alexis Stout, Makayla & Peyton Klein, Kadence Klinzman, Molly Klinzman, Kayden & Dylan Dull, Evelyn & Bruce Lough, & Amelie Egan. Great-Great grandchild: Daisee Knutson-Albert. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandsons Willie Tompkins and Bryan Heun.