Richard A. “Rick” Klemme, 72 of Bellevue, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Friday, May 24, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellevue with Military Honors conducted by Bellevue American Legion Post #273. Visitation will be 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Hachmann-Mier Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue, additional visitation will be 9:30 am-10:30 am prior to Mass on Friday at the funeral home.
Rick was born on Veterans Day, November 11, 1951 in Maquoketa, the son of Raymond and Helen (McCutcheon) Klemme. He graduated from Maquoketa High School in 1970 then served his country in the US Army. Rick married Joan Budde on June 10, 1972, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He was a carpenter and worked on numerous projects in the area until illness lead to an early retirement. Rick was an avid Packers and Hawkeye fan, enjoyed camping, bowling, cruising, and playing bean bag. He cherished seeing his grandchildren’s sporting events, and spending time with family and friends.
Through the gift of organ donation, Rick received a second chance at life on May 23, 2013 by receiving a double lung transplant from his donor Andrew Meyer and again on February 4, 2020 with a kidney transplant. He took good care of his lungs and with that second chance at life, he was able to make so many more memories with his family and friends!
Survivors include his wife, Joan; children, Scott (Jill) Klemme, and Ashley (Ryan) Wear; grandchildren, Nathan, Hayden, Ethan, Taylor, Ali, and Kinley; siblings, Carol (Mike) Williams, and Linda Stephens; brothers and sisters in-law, Yonnie Klemme, Sally Michels, Lori Michels, Kate (Kevin) Medinger, Beth (Jeff) Bodenholfer, Amy (Jason) Schieffer, Mike Budde, and Dennis Budde; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended relatives.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Gerald Klemme on April 1, 2024, and Karen Klemme on March 20, 2024; brother in-law, Tom Stephens and Gary Michels; father and mother in-law, Eldred and Algean Budde.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Rick’s memory.