John Herman Klaasmeyer, son of John H. and Hilka (Blankman) Klaasmeyer, was born January 18, 1914 at Burr, Nebraska. He was baptized and confirmed at Osage Lutheran Church near Cook, Nebraska, and attended rural school near his home.
On April 18, 1936 John was united in marriage to Ruby A. Sargent at Sidney, Iowa. They would be blessed with eight children: Robert John, John Herman, Jr., Ardis Jeannette, Bette Frances, Karla Ruby, Charles Dale, Dennis Wayne, and Michael James. After their marriage, the couple lived in Elk Creek and then Tecumseh in Nebraska. They lived in Forest City, Missouri from 1959 to 1983, when they moved to Talmage, Nebraska until 2007.
No matter where he was living, John was involved in farming and jobs related to farming. While in Missouri he worked for a time as a mechanic at a John Deere dealership in Savannah.
John had a love for horses, and would ride his Tennessee Walker into town on Sundays. He enjoyed fishing and listening to music. In his later years he liked to go for rides, and always loved spending time with his kids and grandkids.
After 2007 John lived in the Ridgeview Towers in Tecumseh until moving to Belle Terrace. In February of 2013 he was admitted to Johnson County Hospital in Tecumseh where he passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at the age of 99 years, 1 month, and 1 day. His wife Ruby, son Robert, daughter Bette, grandson Nathan, 3 brothers, and 5 sisters preceded him in death.
John is survived by his children John Klaasmeyer, Jr. of Forest City, MO; Ardis and husband Dan Gauchat of Johnson; Karla and husband Wayne Bomar of Maryville, MO; Charles and wife Kathleen Klaasmeyer of Miller, MO; Dennis Klaasmeyer of Eudora, KS; Michael and wife Marilyn Klaasmeyer of Eudora, KS; son-in-law Daniel Boellstorff of Johnson; 21 grandchildren; step-grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; sister Lorraine Moss of Burr; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Hemmingsen Funeral Home in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Wm. Dressen. Special pre-recorded music was played. Pallbearers were Tyson Boellstorff, Dale Klaasmeyer, Aaron Plummer, Brian Klaasmeyer, Joel Badberg, and John Tucker Klaasmeyer. Honorary bearers were Todd Boellstorff, Brett Klaasmeyer, John Plummer, Adam Badberg, Zachary Wiedner, Tyler Westerfield, Landon Bragg, Alec Burford Klaasmeyer, and Jonathan Snook. Burial was in Osage Cemetery near Cook, Nebraska.