James Edward Kleeman

James Edward Kleeman

Cedar Rapids

James Edward Kleeman passed away on August 30, 2024, in his sleep at home at the age of 76.

He was born on February 10, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, to Martha Carolyn (Siebert) Kleeman and Edward Louis Kleeman. Widowed, his mother married the Reverend Earle D. McCrea who was James’ beloved stepfather for over 25 years. James married Janice Amelia Aasgaard on May 22, 1976 at Broadway Presbyterian Church in Rock Island, Illinois. Together they were delighted by the birth of two daughters, Cinnamon Suzanne Kleeman (Frédéric Deléglise) of Beaverton, Oregon and Briar Jameson Kleeman (Joseph David Diaz) of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.

James was a 1966 graduate of Independence High School. After setting his own career goals aside to put his wife through Law School, James earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree from the University of Iowa in 1988 at the age of 40. James retired from Rockwell International as an Electrical Engineer when he was 62 and suffered a massive stroke at the age of 66 on November 4, 2014. Despite suffering apraxia and aphasia and losing the use of his right arm and nearly all the use of his right leg, James walked with a cane almost up until December of 2023 and worked continuously to improve his communication skills, ever eager to learn more about everything.

James especially cherished being a husband and Dad and helping others. He enjoyed family and friends, singing, playing guitar and drums, listening to music, thinking, sailing, scuba diving, parasailing, piloting small aircraft and working on projects in his shop.

James is survived by his wife, their daughters and sons-in-law, sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, step-brothers, step-sisters and their extended families.

James was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, brother, Robert A. Kleeman; niece, Kasey Ann Kleeman Haase; and long-time family friends, Craig and Mary Rains, Joel T. Pearson and David Heitkamp.

The family will have a private service at a later date. Condolences or memorials may be sent to the family in care of Stewart Baxter Memorial & Funeral Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.