A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 9th, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in State Center. He will be laid to rest in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery at Haverhill. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. A memorial fund is being established. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Born on May 19th, 1938, in Marshalltown, he was the son of Joseph and Coletta (Stalzer) Klaas. He grew up on a farm near Laurel until moving to Haverhill. He received his education at Laurel, St. Joseph’s Parochial School in Haverhill and later from St. Mary’s in Marshalltown.

Virgil was employed for many years as a farm hand for the neighbors, a route driver for Coca-Cola, driver for Mead’s Dairy, with the M & St.L, Chicago Northwestern and UP Railroads and had also owned and operated a bar in Liscomb and Virg’s Roundup in Whitten, IA. He also drove school bus for the Marshalltown and West Marshall School District.

On October 8th, 1990, he was united in marriage to Linda (Case) Spurlin in Marshalltown. They made their home in Marshalltown until moving to Clemons.

Virgil was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in State Center and the Catholic Order of Forester’s.

It was a good day if music was involved. He was known for picking up the guitar and ministering to those around. He was a great cook and during a train derailment years ago, he stayed aside his co-workers for 60 hours making sure they had food to eat. The return to farm life was important to him as it reflected his youth and growing up, he found peace in it and the enjoyment of his ATV and wildlife. Virgil treasured his friends and family and thoroughly enjoyed the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to cherish his memory are Linda, his loving wife of 27 years; his children: Mychelle (Kent) Dickenson, of Beaman, Kevin (Carla) Klaas, of North Carolina, Kerry (Patty) Klaas, of Marshalltown, Shari Harding (Steve Hay), of Marshalltown, Jay (Isabel) Klaas, of Marshalltown and Kristy Gray, of Des Moines; numerous precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his sister Darlene Hughes, of Polk City, IA, and sister-in-law Catherine Klaas, of Marshalltown, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In death, Virgil rejoined his parents, his son Justin; stepson Jason Spurlin; great-granddaughters: Liberty and Lauryn, son-in-law Michael Jackley, Sr., and brother Gerald Klaas.