Robert J. Kleimola Sr.

Robert J. Kleimola Sr., 92, died Dec. 18, 2020. He was born May 3, 1928, son of the late Lempi and Waino Kleimola. On June 11, 1951, he married Beatrice May, and she preceded him in death in 2011.

Robert attended local schools and entered the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War with the 7th Army Artillery Battalion. Sgt. Kleimola was a graduate of the 7th Army Non-Commission Officers Academy in Munich, Germany. He was a life member of the Bessemer VFW Post 3673.

He was employed in the accounting field with Sears Robuck and Co., White Pine Copper Co., and Bridgewater Industries-Conner Forest Division. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. Robert was a member of the Ironwood Township Board of Education and the Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education as past president and treasurer. He also served as Ironwood Township Supervisor. His hobbies were woodworking and fishing.

Robert was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He served as Ironwood Masonic Lodge 389 F&AM as past Worshipful Master, Bessemer Minerva Chapter 122 Royal Arch Masons as Past High Priest, Bessemer Council 80 Royal and Select Masters as Past Super Excellent Master, Bessemer Commandery 46, as Past Commander, Upper Michigan York Rite College 40 as Past Preeminent Governor and charter member. Kleimola was elected to receive York Rite College of North America's highest honor, the York Rite Purple Cross of Honor. He accepted the honor at Mount Laurel, New Jersey, in 1980.

Besides his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Beatrice; brothers, William, Waino, Allan and Howard (in infancy); sisters, Mrs. William (Barbara) Mukavitz and Helena (in infancy); and brothers-in-law, Donald Ellsworth and Richard Ellsworth.

He is survived by a daughter, Marla (Richard) Wienandt; a son, Robert (Dawn); granddaughter, Heather (Joe) Kleimola-Hulbert; grandson, Michael Wienandt; great-grandson Tristen Wienandt; and great-granddaughter Kaitlin Hulbert. Robert is also survived by brothers, Edward (Virginia) Kleimola and Francis (Barbara) Kleimola; sisters, Greta Ellsworth, Gladys Ellsworth and Lempi (Richard) Poulan; brother-in-law, William Mukavitz; sisters-in-law Mrs. William (Nella) Kleimola, Mrs. Waino (Betty) Kleimola and Mrs. Allan (Karen) Kleimola; and many nephews and nieces.

Robert's family would like to thank Gogebic Medical Care Facility for their care and compassion during his stay there.

A memorial service will be held at a future time. Burial will be in the Sunset Acres Cemetery in Ironwood Township.

The family has chosen Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Robert's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at rangefuneralservices.com.