Gene Allen Kleve

Gene Allen Kleve, 73, life-long resident of Holyoke, CO passed away peacefully on the 25th of December, 2024, on the family farm surrounded by his loving and devoted wife and family.  Gene was born on July 3, 1951, in Holyoke, CO. He is the third of four children born to Darwin Joseph and Betty Jean (Small) Kleve.

Gene grew up helping on the family farm and ranch and began driving a pickup truck when he was barely able to see over the top of the steering wheel.  He graduated from Holyoke High School with the class of 1969 and interned with Dr. McPherron’s veterinary practice. He completed his associate’s degree at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, CO. where he enjoyed livestock judging.  He was then accepted to attend Colorado State University but was drafted into the U.S. Army; he served from 1974 to 1976. However, Gene was always happiest farming and ranching. Gene married on March 18, 1978, to Rita Brunken and together they had three sons, Jonathan, Matthew, and Mitchell.  Gene was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. He also served as livestock superintendent at the Phillips County Fair, a member of the CO. State Farm Bureau board, and the Holyoke School board.  He enjoyed volunteering with the Holyoke Veterans Honor Guard and traveling and cruising with his wife.  Gene was affectionately known by all his grandchildren as “Tractor Grandpa” and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Darwin and Betty; grandparents; and brother-in-law, Ed “Butch” Holys, Jr.

Those left to cherish Gene’s memory are his wife of 46 years, Rita; sons, Jonathan Kleve (Mary [Amy]), Matthew Kleve (Charlene [Charlee]), and Mitchell Kleve (Crystal); grandchildren, Eleanor, Margaret, Joseph, Harrison, Andrew, Lucy, Samuel, Maximilian, Benjamin, LaeAnne, Nikolas, and Amelia; sisters, Joanne Levesque (Lou), Janet Childress, and Judy Holys; sisters-in-laws, Bonnie Johnson (Glenn), and Julie Dudley (Dennis); and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family for future designation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on the 3rd of January, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Father Jerry Rohr as celebrant.  Rosary prayers will be held at 10 AM prior to the Mass at church.  Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, near the family ranch in Holyoke following the service. 

Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.yumafuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.