Alvera Linda (Tillman) Kleve

Alvera Linda (Tillman) Kleve, 86, of West Union, Iowa (formerly of Postville, Iowa) died Monday, July 18, 2022 at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, Iowa of pneumonia. Alvera was born on January 18, 1936 to Edward and Catherine (Kipp) Tillman in Lawler, Iowa. Alvera graduated from Waucoma High School in 1953. 

Alvera married Marvin John Kleve on September 27, 1954 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waucoma, Iowa. To this union, 8 children were born. Jerald, Robert, Dennis, Cynthia, Barbara, Bruce, Duane and Scott. Marvin and Alvera farmed outside of Lawler, Cresco, and Ossian before settling between Castalia and Postville. Alvera worked at the Iowa Turkey Plant and the Farmer’s Store in Postville. Both Marvin and Alvera decided to go to college and they both graduated with their Associates Degree from Northeast Iowa Community College in 1986. After graduating, she worked in the cafeteria at NICC as the dining director for 14 years. While she was there, she was able to share her love of cooking and baking with others. Alvera retired from NICC in 2002. After her retirement, she worked part time at Moore’s IGA in the deli. 

Marvin and Alvera loved to go polka dancing with one another. They spent many weekends together dancing at polka dances. Alvera always enjoyed cheering on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at sporting events. Cooking and baking were one of her specialities. She was well known for her pies, kolaches, and rollakees. Alvera’s favorite holiday was always Christmas. She loved decorating for Christmas and giving presents to her family. 

Alvera was an active member of St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville where she was a lector, a Euchastic Minister, taught religion and a member of the Rosary Society. 

Surviving are her children Jerald (Mary) Kleve of Postville, Robert (Karen) Kleve of Castalia, Dennis (Karen) Kleve of Calmar, Cynthia (Jeff) Lange of Postville, Barbara (Duane) Mangskau of West Union, Bruce (Sharon) Kleve of Clermont, Duane (Cheryl) Kleve of DeForest, WI, and Scott (Karla) Kleve of Independence; 28 grandchildren and 62 great-grandchildren; sister: Phyllis Massman of West Union and brother: Robert (Cynthia) Tillman of Clermont. Brothers and sisters -in-law: Linus (Sharon) Kleve of Spillville and Herbert (Judy) Kleve of Calmar. 

Alvera was preceded in death by her husband Marvin in 2000, her parents: Edward and Catherine Tillman, in-laws: Edward and Matilda Kleve, sisters: Dorothy (Roman) Junk and Margarete (Donald) Stammeyer, brothers: Marcellus (Gertie) Tillman, John (Betty) Tillman, Herbert (Betty) Tillman and Merle (Pamela) Tillman, brother-in -law: Donald Massman, sister-in- law: Betty (Edgar) Wurzer, brother -in-law: Paul (Loretta) Kleve. 

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 24, 2022 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville, Iowa. There will also be a one hour visitation before mass time at the church on Monday.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Monday, July 25, 2022 at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Postville, Iowa with Rev. Martin Coolidge as the Celebrant.

Burial at Aloysius Cemetery in Calmar, Iowa at 1:00 pm.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Postville, Iowa is assisting the family with arrangements.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.