Walter Kliegle

Walter Kliegle of Oskaloosa, Iowa, died on March 12, 2026, at the age of 91 at Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. Born on February 5, 1935, in Mahaska County to Paul Edward and Loran Vivian Eveland Kliegle, Walter stepped up at a young age to help support his family. Determined to keep his three younger brothers and three younger sisters together, he worked while still excelling in school and graduating with the Oskaloosa High School class of 1953.

After graduation, Walt worked on Lewis Chilcote’s farm before volunteering for the draft. He served 16 months in Korea, where he received the heartbreaking news that his brother Gilbert had been killed in a work accident. Upon returning to Mahaska County, he worked for Dennis Allgood Construction, spent nine and a half years at Hawkeye Pole Barn Builders, and later installed garage doors and openers for 13 years at the Door Shop in Oskaloosa. In the final 13 years of his working life, he owned and operated his own garage door business. A member of the Oskaloosa V.F.W., he took great pride in tending to his property south of town, especially mowing and gathering walnuts.

He is survived by his brother, Frank (Janet) Kliegle, many nieces and nephews, and his close friends Darcie and Larry Russell and their sons, Rylie and Colin. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gilbert and Robert Kliegle; and three sisters, Betty Rauch, Beverly Lyon, and Belva Pettit.