Obituary: Hadwen Kleiss

Hadwen Arnold Kleiss age 94, of Fredericksburg, IA, a beloved father and grandfather,  passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.  Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Peace United Church  of Christ in Fredericksburg with Rev. Scott Smith officiating.  

Interment was held at Rose Hill Cemetery, Fredericksburg with Dustin Kleiss, Adam  Kleiss, Samuel Kleiss, Timothy Kleiss, Sheriton Dettmer, Lucas Lenhart, Benjamin Timmer, and  Bradley Thies serving as pallbearers.  

Hadwen was born on November 13, 1931 to Arnold and Elda (Kerkhoff) Kleiss, on the  family farm that remains Stardell Farms, Inc. to this day. After a long day of labor, a doctor  arrived to assist with his delivery, saving both mother and child. In gratitude, Hadwen’s parents  asked the doctor what he would name the baby. He paused and replied, “Well, my son’s name  is Hadwen,” and with that simple answer, the name was chosen and lovingly given.  

As a young boy, Hadwen’s mother, Elda, attempted to give him piano lessons.  Eventually, she gave up and told him, “Just go outside and play with your calves — you don’t  have to do this anymore.” From that moment on, his lifelong connection to Holstein cattle was  formed — a passion that stayed with him for decades and became central to his life’s work.  

Hadwen attended a one-room schoolhouse through fifth grade and later graduated  from Fredericksburg High School. During his junior year, he met Louann Boedecker. Though he  didn’t play basketball himself, he rarely missed a game, attending simply to watch her cheer  and visit with her during halftime. That winter after graduation, he wed the love of his life, on  February 15, 1953, at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, starting their life side  by side.  

After graduation, Hadwen and Louann chose to remain on the Kleiss family farm,  working alongside his parents until the early 1960s, when they continued expanding the  operation into what became Stardell Farms. Farming alongside their three sons, Dale, Douglas,  and Gene, they raised chickens, milked Holstein cattle, raised pigs, and farmed crops. Hadwen  took particular pride in breeding and developing four proven sires — Crusader, Winken, Adan,  and Brut — that were later placed into AI production. He sold heifers throughout the United  States and exported cattle internationally. Throughout these years, Hadwen worked closely  with Louann, who managed the records and organization that kept the operation running  smoothly.  

In the early 1990s, Hadwen, his sons, and a neighboring farm family came together to  plan and build a 700-cow milking facility, which became HMCI (Holstein Marketing Center of  Iowa) in 1993. At the time, it was one of the largest dairy operations in the state and remained  in operation until 2015.  

Throughout his life, one of Hadwen’s greatest joys was showing cattle — breeding,  developing, and presenting his favorite Holstein cows. He especially treasured doing this  alongside his children and grandchildren. Many of their favorite memories were made during  long days spent preparing for shows and standing together in the show ring.  

Hadwen was also widely known for the ads he wrote to market cattle for Stardell Farms,  which appeared in Cattle Connection, Holstein World, and the Iowa Holstein Herald. His  advertisements were recognized for being both witty and wise, often reflecting his personality  and dry humor. Many people he encountered at cattle shows, auctions, meetings, and industry  events would comment on his latest ad, a small but memorable way he stayed connected to  the broader dairy community.  

Hadwen joined 4-H at age 9, the same year he received his first calf. The program  played a formative role in his youth, and he often spoke of the skills and confidence it gave  him. He was part of a demonstration team that placed third at both the National Show and the  Waterloo Cattle Congress, won state-level production contests, served as a National 4-H Club  member, and acted as reporter for the state 4-H office. He received the Lou Plager Award, 

served as president of the County 4-H Club, attended 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, and  served many years as the local 4-H Club leader.  

His involvement extended well beyond the farm. Hadwen served as secretary and  president of the Dairy Day Board, sat on the ISU Chickasaw County Extension Board, served  as Sunday School Superintendent and church president, led the District Holstein Association,  chaired the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, and sang in the church choir for more than  40 years.  

One especially meaningful and recent honor came in 2025, when Hadwen and the  entire Kleiss family were named Grand Marshals of Fredericksburg Dairy Days. Together, they  proudly helped bring back the tradition of leading cattle through the morning parade, a  moment that brought him great joy and pride.  

Hadwen will be remembered for the wisdom and life lessons he shared so generously  with family and friends. He was known for his strong work ethic and for teaching his  grandchildren the value of hard work and taking pride in what you do. Until his passing, he  cherished visits and long conversations, always eager to take a phone call, catch up on the  latest news, and keep up with both the dairy industry and the lives of those he loved. He had a  remarkable way of remembering the small details from your last conversation, making everyone  feel known and cared for.  

He will be deeply missed by his three sons, Dale (Judy) Kleiss of New Hampton, Iowa;  Douglas (Lisa) Kleiss of Fredericksburg, Iowa; and Gene Kleiss of Fredericksburg, Iowa; his  eight grandchildren, Sheriton (Liza) Dettmer, Dustin (Emily) Kleiss, Emily (Lucas) Lenhart, Adam  (Kayln) Kleiss, Kaitlin (Bradley) Thies, Sally (Benjamin) Timmer, Samuel (Jenna) Kleiss, and  Timothy (Tessa) Kleiss; and his 22 great-grandchildren, who will miss hearing his stories and  playing hide-and-seek at Great-Grandpa’s house.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Louann Kleiss in 2012.  Hadwen’s legacy of faith, family, hard work, and stewardship of the land will live on for  generations.