Hadwen Arnold 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 will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg with Rev. Scott Smith officiating.

Interment will be 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.

Friends are invited to greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church in Fredericksburg on Wednesday.

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.