Wilbur D. Kleinjan, age 87, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at his home in Volga, South Dakota, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at the First Reformed Church in Volga, with interment in Trinity Cemetery. Visitations will be from 4-8 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Chapel in Volga. Memorial gifts in Wilburs name may be given to the First Reformed Church of Volga or to Gideons International.

Wilbur Dwight Kleinjan was born August 16, 1921, to John D. and Hazel Rose (Nesbit) Kleinjan on the family farm four miles north of Volga, South Dakota. He attended country grade school at Renshaw District No. 52, graduating in 1935, and Volga High School, graduating in 1939. He farmed with his father until 1948. After his fathers retirement, Wilbur continued to farm the home farm until 1958. On March 13, 1945 he married the love of his life, Adriana Van Hoepen, on her family farm north of Volga, South Dakota. They had four children: Judith, Gary, Kathleen and Willis.

In 1958 Wilbur and Adriana purchased a farm south of Volga, where they lived and farmed for 25 years. He loved working the land and caring for all creatures great and small. In 1983 Wilbur and Adriana sold their farm and moved to Volga. He worked at various odd jobs including driving school bus for three years. In 1985 and for the next 23 years, he farmed with and for his nephews, Jim, Tom, and Russ Kleinjan.

Wilbur was a long-time member of the First Reformed Church of Volga, serving in lay leader positions as deacon and elder. He was baptized and made his confession of faith in the Olivet Presbyterian Church of Volga. He revered Gods Word and strove to trust His Lord in all circumstances.

During his farming years, Wilbur served various civic and community organizations. He was a 4-H leader and a member of both local and district Land-O-Lakes boards. He was the supervisor of Oslo Township for many years and was the secretary-treasurer of the East Central Holstein Association.

Wilbur was an avid local sports fan and a member of the founding board of the Sioux Valley Booster Club, the group that purchased the first electronic scoreboard. He was a fixture at local sporting events, cheering on boys and girls teams. He especially enjoyed watching those of his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Wilbur was a loving man whose greatest joy was spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved visiting with friends and family and being with them in times of celebration and loss. He also loved to travel and wherever he went, he made it a priority to find and connect with family and friends who were in the area.

Grateful to have shared his life, is his wife of 64 years, Adriana, and four children: Judith Knapp, Boise, Idaho, Gary (Elsie) Kleinjan, Mansfield, Texas, Kathleen Munch, Buffalo, New York, and Willis (Jodi) Kleinjan, Avon, Minnesota; 10 grandchildren: Steve, Travis, Coby, Tyler, Tara, Kelsey, Wesley, Christa, Kayla and Erin; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters: Marie Anderson, Mount Dora, Florida, Ruby Ritterbusch, Pierre, South Dakota, and Mildred (Earl) Sapp of Bruce, South Dakota; and one brother, Eugene (Lois) Kleinjan, Volga, South Dakota, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members. Preceding him in death were his parents, brother Lester, and son-in-law Terry Knapp.