Joe Kluesner

Joe M. Kluesner, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Oct. 10, 1926, in Saint Joseph, Tennessee, to Frank B. and Monica M. Reischman Kluesner. He and Elizabeth "Betty" Welter were married April 16, 1955, at Kelso, Missouri.

Joe moved with his family to Chaffee, Missouri, when he was 11 years old. He attended St. Mary's High School in Cape Girardeau.

He was honored to serve in the U.S. Army in Korea. He began his duty Dec. 29, 1948, for 11 months. He re-enlisted Jan. 4, 1951, and was transported to Korea aboard the USNS General John Pope. He returned in November 1951. During his time of service, he attended North Carolina Engineering School.

Joe had an incredible work ethic/energy level, which manifested itself in a 30-plus-year business partnership with his brother, A.J. Kluesner, known as Kluesner Plasterers.

His hobbies included gardening, cutting firewood and finding any small or large project that involved using tools or his tractor.

Having grown up in a large family and having raised seven children with his wife, Betty, Joe cherished family gatherings and saw them as opportunities to share a laugh as well as recruit others into his hobbies. He also enjoyed basket making, making homemade V8 juice and inventing new tools, which resulted in his own patent. He was also a good storyteller.

He was a devoted Catholic, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He belonged to Knights of Columbus Council 6405 in Jackson and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838.

Survivors include three sons, Roger (Mary Jo) Kluesner of Ames, Iowa, Dennis (Cecilia) Kluesner of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Curtis Kluesner of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Marilyn (Mark) Proffer and Geri (Brent) Beussink of Cape Girardeau; a brother, A.J. (Betty) Kluesner of Cape Girardeau; five sisters, Frances Scheeter of New Hamburg, Missouri, Willie Schetter of Chaffee, Flora Brucker of New Hamburg, Clairene Priest of Gordonville and Diane (Larry) Lovell of Anna, Illinois; 13 grandchildren, Chad (Cortney) Proffer, Luke Proffer, Molly Proffer, Nick (Megan) Kluesner, Mary Beth (Chris) Etscheidt, Zach (Alex) Kluesner, Alli Kluesner, Lauren (Derek) Nelson, Ben Beussink, Shannon Beussink, Kaci Kluesner, Jamie Kluesner and Alisha (Jake) Balzer; six great-grandchildren; one great-stepgrandchild; and twin great-grandsons are expected in mid-April.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sons, James and Richard Kluesner; and brothers, Rufus, Clete, Ernie, Rudolph "Buster," Tom and Walter Kluesner. In addition, an infant brother and infant sister died at birth.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be at 6 p.m., with Knights of Columbus rosary immediately following.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Full military honors will be provided by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Vincent's Christian Service or Missouri Veterans Home.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.