Notes for FRED EDWARD KLOPFENSTEIN:

Son of Joe and Anna (Stout) Klopenfenstein.
Born: February 24, 1903 in Washington County, Iowa.
Died: August 15, 1989 in Winfield, Henry County, Iowa.
Buried: Winfield-Scott Township Cemetery, Winfield, Henry County, Iowa.
Occupation: Farmer, operated Klopfenstein Feed and Grain, Winfield, Henry County, Iowa.
Religion: Member Winfield United Methodist Church.
Associations: Good Faith Masonic Lodge 235.
Married: Hazel Alice Fletcher December 23, 1925 in Washington County, Iowa.

After high school, spent time in California then returned to Iowa.

Obituary:
Fred E. Klopfenstein (from his obituary) was the son of Joe and Anna Stout Klopfenstein. He graduated from Washington High School in 1920 and was a member of the Winfield United Methodist Church, Good Faith Masonic Lodge 235, a former board member of the People's State Bank in Winfield, and a former Winfield and Henry County school board member. He was a farmer and had operated Klopfenstein Feed and Grain in Winfield from 1960 to 1969. Fred died at the Sunrise Care Center, Winfield. Interment in the Winfield-Scott Township Cemetery.

Added notes from William D. Klopfenstein and Sara Klopfenstein Tushen: After high school, Fred spent some time in California. When he returned to Iowa, he married Hazel (who grew up on her parent's farm east of Wyman). She received her teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers' College, and taught school at Wyman, IA, for a few years before they were married. After they were married, they farmed with Fred's father for four years before they bought a farm north of Winfield, IA. They raised livestock, primarily feeding cattle, hogs, and at times feeding lambs. Their agricultural aspirations launched one of the first farms to raise a commercial turkey flock. Their success came, but not without the pitfalls of disease, storms, and market losses.

Fred saw farm life as an opportunity for education. He spent his spare time finding ways to increase the success of the farm. He was an avid reader devoting his attentions to mechanical, business, and agricultural magazines. The little time he had left for hobbies was spent golfing and playing cards. In 1953 Fred and Hazel built a new home less than a half mile west of their original homestead house. As their sons took over the farms, Fred and Hazel started the feed and grain business. In their retirement years, they spent several winters in Winter Haven, FL.

Hazel enjoyed farm life not so much for the typical homemaking experiences, but more for the beauty of the land. She watched birds, collected rocks, raised a beautiful flower garden and carried an extensive knowledge of nature. She also collected stamps, enjoyed reading, playing cards and working word puzzles. Later in life, Hazel took up painting. She continued educating young people by teaching Sunday School and Bible School, but her pleasure in teaching children shined through in her four children and twelve grandchildren. All four of Hazel's children raised their families near Winfield. Hazel and Fred encouraged all their children and grandchildren to attend college and pursue their own interests. Their crowning achievement was in all of their grandchildren graduating from college. In pursuit of their own interests each of their children and grandchildren found a common thread in Hazel and Fred's interests.