Edgar Edward Kliethermes, 91, Bonnots Mill, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026.
He was born Sept. 17, 1934, the son of Paul and Elizabeth (Dudenhoeffer) Kliethermes and grew up at Cadet Creek.
He grew up working on the family farm.
Edgar served his country in the U. S. Army in the Alaskan Territory.
He was united in marriage to Marlene Samson for 56 years. She preceded him in death in 2017.
Edgar worked for his brother, Clifford Kliethermes Construction Company, building and remodeling homes. He later worked at the Algoa Correctional Center, where he shared his construction and repair knowledge. Over the years, he also worked on almost all the houses around Bonnots Mill, often without asking for compensation.
Edgar was an expert woodworker and many homes in central Missouri are decorated with his beautiful handmade items.
He was a dedicated member of St. Louis of France Catholic Church and donated countless hours to mowing the cemetery, maintaining the parish buildings, serving on the parish council and cemetery board, working at parish events and performing untold behind-the-scenes tasks. Edgar also served in many roles for the Knights of Columbus Council 2027.
He enjoyed work, jokes, country music, westerns, Cardinals baseball, playing the guitar and harmonica, and whiling away the hours whistling.
Edgar was preceded in death by parents, Paul and Elizabeth; siblings and in-laws Clifford and Irene Kliethermes, Oscar and Eva Maggie Kliethermes, Elsie and Urban LeCuru, Alvina and Leslie Jaegers, Laurine and Bernard Heet, Walter Thessen, Harry and Bernice Kliethermes, Shirley Prenger and Bob and Ralph Samson.
He is survived by his large family which includes children, Gary Kliethermes and wife Laura of Cottonport, La., Dianne Ruettgers and husband Darryl of Taos, Mary Sue Fontana and husband Don of Prairie Home, Julie Boeckmann and husband Bryan of Pershing, Tom Kliethermes of Lenexa Kan., Mike Kliethermes and fiance Liesje Myers of Westphalia, Chris Kliethermes and wife Brenda of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sarah Lange and husband Shawn of Frankenstein; grandchildren, Riley Balzer and husband Cade, Haley Kliethermes, Jamie Schwob and husband Joe, Todd Ruettgers and wife Chessa, John Fontana, Zachary Boeckmann and wife Madeline, Erin Koerner and husband Drew, Luca and Simon Kliethermes, Mary Williams and husband Gavin, Mark, Marlene, Michelle, Mathew and Monroe Kliethermes, Henry and George Kliethermes and TJ Lange; great-grandchildren, August, Colton and Elizabeth Schwob, Teddy, Mellie and Babies Ruettgers, Beau and Kit Boeckmann and Isla Koerner; and siblings and in-laws, Dorothy Thessen, Vince Prenger, Margaret and Stanley Strope, Ron and Shirley Samson, Russell and Debbie Samson, Sam and Arlene Samson and Wanda Samson.
Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m., on Friday, Feb. 20, at Morton Chapel in Linn, with a prayer service and rosary at 3:30 pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Feb. 21, at St. Louis of France Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill, with Fr. Tony Rinaldo officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will be in the St. Louis of France Parish Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to the St. Louis Parish or the St. Louis Cemetery Fund.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Linn.
