Nicholas Kleinhuizen

Nicholas "Nick" Harley Kleinhuizen, age 89, of Willmar and formerly of Renville, died Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 24, at Bethesda Pleasantview Nursing Home in Willmar.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, at Emden Christian Reformed Church in Renville. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 28, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Croix Hospice, 2330 Troop Drive, Suite #102, Sartell, MN 56377 are preferred. www.petersonbrothers.com
Nick was born on February 8, 1925, in Prinsburg, Minnesota, the son of Harold and Irene (Poelstra) Kleinhuizen. He grew up on the farm around the Prinsburg and Atwater areas. Nick served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946. On March 23, 1949, Nick was united in marriage to Lilah Mae Damhof and they made their home near Roseland. Nick was employed with Berghuis Construction until 1955. Later that year they moved to Renville and he founded Nick's Repair. In 1958, Nick and his brother-in-law, Marvin Mulder founded the Clara City Implement dealership and they moved the business to Renville in 1960 and reorganized as K & M Manufacturing. Nick retired in 1990. In September of 2003, they moved to Willmar.
Nick was active in the Renville community, serving as City Council member and Mayor for a total of 15 years, Tree Board, Well Head Committee, Economic Development Association, Nursing Home Board, American Legion, and Lion's Club. He was a 2 time Melvin Jones Award recipient, received the WCCO Good Neighbor award in 1985, Hometown Renville 1999 Volunteer of the Year award. Nick was also an active member of his church, singing in the male chorus, as a Sunday School teacher, Elder and Deacon. He also volunteered at the Thrift Center and at Meals on Wheels.
Nick enjoyed going on walks, playing softball, fishing, woodworking, metal working, traveling and spending time at the lake cabin with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lilah of Willmar; two sons, Lowell (and Patricia) Kleinhuizen of Fredericksburg, VA. And Stanley (and Susan) Kleinhuizen of Alexandria; one daughter, Darla (and Brian) Fuller of Renville; twelve grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Wayne (and Marilyn) Kleinhuizen of Willmar and Laverne (and Beatrice) Kleinhuizen of Willmar and three sisters, Dorothy Blokzyl of Willmar, Martha Dunsmore of Fosston and Eileen Fritz of Waconia, besides other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Junior, Donald, Roger, Melvin, Harvey and Wallace; two sisters, Luella and Lorreta and two great grandchildren, Abigail and Crosby Kleinhuizen.

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