Joseph Larry Kleinschmit

NORFOLK — Joseph Larry Kleinschmit, 60, Norfolk, died June 23, 2021, at Arbor Care Center, Hartington, under Hospice care.

Visitation and a Vigil Service were Sunday at the church, and continued Monday, one hour prior to services.

Mass of Christian Burial was June 28 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Bloomfield, with the Rev. Kizito Okhuoya officiating.

Burial of his cremated remains will be at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Norfolk.

Urn bearer was his daughter, Shelby Hansen.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.

Joseph Larry was born Aug. 20, 1960, in St. Helena, to Daniel and RoseAnn (Wuebben) Kleinschmit. He grew up in the St. James area and moved to Wausa in 1974, graduating from Wausa High School in 1978. Joseph moved to Norfolk and began working for farmer John Uecker. Joe married Shirley Ann Zessin Aug. 18, 1984, in Oakland. Five children were born from this union. He then worked for Mid America Dairy and also started Kleinschmit & Sons Mowing Service in Norfolk. Joseph then worked at Darling International Inc. prior to Wis-Pak in Norfolk, which was a bottling company.

Joseph was a member of St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Catholic churches. He liked John Deere and collecting replicas. He also liked playing cards and pool, and loved to dance the Jitterbug. He enjoyed his Chevy trucks, loved attending family gatherings, and watching Westerns on TV. Joseph always loved his children and spending time with them.

Joseph is survived by his five children, Jordan Kleinschmit, Norfolk; Jared Kleinschmit and Alejandra Avila, Omaha; Judd Kleinschmit, Omaha; Jacob Kleinschmit, Norfolk; and Shelby (Brandon) Hansen, Okinawa, Japan; former wife, Shirley Kleinschmit, Norfolk; parents, Daniel and RoseAnn Kleinschmit, Wausa; seven brothers and three sisters, Chuck (Vicki) Kleinschmit, Coleridge; Leonard Kleinschmit and fiance, Connie McPhillips, Wausa; Dave (Staci) Kleinschmit, Wausa; John (Darcy) Kleinschmit, Norfolk; Marilyn (Bill) Thoene, Hartington; Dan (Cheryl) Kleinschmit, Wausa; Kathy (Tim) Pick, Hartington; Rich (Karen) Kleinschmit, Wausa; Darrell (Rachel) Kleinschmit, Wausa; and Leann Frey and Brian Frey, Tilden; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Leona Kleinschmit; maternal grandparents, Bernard and Josephine Wuebben; and nephew, Cody Pick.