Arvin Gene Klein passed away August 10, 2024, at the age of 98 years at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa, IA.  He was born November 8, 1925, the third oldest of seven children, to Gradus and Anna (Van Den Berg) Klein, at home in rural Fifield, Iowa. Arvin grew up on various farms in Marion County and loved farm life and working with horses.  As a young man he worked as a farm hand; after his marriage he farmed near Otley for 30 years.

As part of a big family, Arvin often displayed his mischievous side, indulging in lots of good-natured pranks.  He loved sports - especially softball, telling jokes, playing games, doing puzzles, and enjoyed these activities all his life. He attended country schools through the 8th grade and attended high school until he realized that farm chores would keep him from playing football, the part of advanced education he most desired.

Arvin met Norma Lucille Dykstra at the Old Settler's Celebration in Monroe, Iowa.  When his family moved to a farm east of Otley, he found that she lived only a mile or two away on the same country road, close enough to walk home after a visit.  They were married on January 30, 1947, at the Otley Reformed Church where he became a life-time member.  They made a home in Otley, moving three years later to a farm east of Otley.  There they brought up their five children: Laura, Valerie, Galen, Nyla, and Lisa.  Arvin was never too busy to hoe a row in the garden, play catch with his son, or delight his daughters as a hat-wearing guest for playroom tea. In 2024, he and Norma celebrated 77 years of married life.

After retiring from farming and moving to Pella, Arvin worked part-time as a trucker for Galen's Klein Trucking company, hauling livestock.  He also worked for a few years at the Otley Co-op as a hog buyer.  Over the years, Arvin was very active at Otley Church where he was a member of the Men's Brotherhood group, and served as Deacon, Elder, and Church Treasurer.  Arvin had a strong faith and dedicated his life to Christ.

Family and friends were important to Arvin.  He had many friends and enjoyed visiting regularly with his siblings.  He adored his grandkids and great-grandkids and made every visit a special one for them.  He gained a reputation for introducing his grands and greats to ice cream at a very young age.  He also became renowned for baking large batches of chocolate chip cookies to share with the kids, as well as co-workers and his card-playing buddies.  Arvin influenced his family and many other lives with his faith, sense of humor, gamesmanship, willingness to help whenever needed, loyalty, and hard-work ethic.

Arvin is survived by his wife, Norma; his children: Laura Steenhoek (Rodger) of Beaverton, OR, Valerie Gardner (Ron) of Helena, MT, Galen Klein of Monroe, IA, Nyla Tangen (Curt) of Pella, IA, and Lisa Bakerink (Randy) of Springfield, MO.

His fourteen grandchildren: Dayna Tracy (Mark) of Beaverton, OR, Michael Steenhoek of Gouverneur, NY, Christopher Steenhoek (Becky) of Scottsdale, AZ, Leslie Reiger (Keith) of Missoula, MT, Samuel Gardner of Bozeman, MT, Katie Button (Jacob) of Bozeman, MT, Emily Klein (Austin Timmins) of Monroe, IA, Jonathan Tangen (Brittany) of Enid, OK, Rachel Tangen of Saint Louis, MO, Hannah Curcuru (Vince) of Saint Louis, MO, Sarah Bakerink of Springfield, MO, Levi Bakerink (Jessica) of Joplin, MO, Katie Bakerink of Springfield, MO, Isaac Bakerink of Springfield, MO.

His ten great-grandchildren:  Benjamin Tracy, Ana Tracy, Hailey Steenhoek, Zakary Steenhoek, Celia Timmins, Briar Tangen, Price Tangen, Primrose Tangen, Campbell Tangen, and John Bakerink.

His siblings: Sisters Gladys Karlin of Des Moines, IA, Geraldine Angove of Des Moines, IA; Sisters-in-law Darlene Klein of  Pella, IA, Lareatha Huyser of Newton, IA, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law Gerrit and Jennie Dykstra; son-in-law Curt Tangen; brothers and sisters: Alice Van Essen, Willard Klein, Virgil Klein, Wayne Klein; brothers and sisters-in-law: Harold Van Essen, Roberta Klein, Leola Klein, John De Ronde, Jim Karlin, Gerald Angove, Robert Vander Schel, Norman Huyser; nieces and nephews: Harris Van Essen, Cheryl Vander Werff.

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