Barbara P. Klesener, 86, of Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Nauvoo, Illinois, passed away at 11:18 a.m. Saturday, July 4, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison.
She was born on January 11, 1940, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Forrest Jack and Rosemary (Freitag) Siegfried. On June 27, 1959 she married Dennis J. Klesener at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Madison, he preceded her in death on May 30, 2025.
Survivors include two daughters: Jeanne Hellige of Fort Madison, Iowa, Kathy Ann (Russ) Kramer - Franklin of Fort Madison, Iowa; daughter-in-law Angela Klesener of Nauvoo, Illinois; eight grandchildren: Mike (Mary) Hellige, Susan (David) Jefferies, Sarah (BJ) Pollpeter, Nicholas Klesener, Amy Kramer, Amber Peck, Brandon Franklin, Dustin Franklin; twelve great grandchildren: Eric, Kaleb, Alex, Jackson, Madison, Connor, Mason, Tanner, Wesley, Ben, Sam, Chloe; three sisters: Mary Rose (Adrian) Meierotto, Eleanor Freeman, Debbie (Alex) Hartley; three brothers: John (Peggy) Siegfried, Henry Siegfried, Daniel (Deborah) Siegfried and sister-in-law Jeany Siegfried. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dennis; son Randy; son-in-law Virgil Hellige; two great grandsons; two brothers: Gerald and Harold Siegfried; two sisters: Jane and Joan; and sister-in-law Susie.
Barb graduated from Aquinas High School. She worked at the Iowa State Penitentiary as a secretery, Sheaffer Pen Company, and Grandpa John’s Cafe. She was a member of the Izaak Walton Club. Barb enjoyed flowers, gardening, vacationing with her family, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Schmitz - Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026 at Schmitz - Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating.
Burial will be in the Nauvoo City Cemetery.
Memorials have been established in her memory for the Izaak Walton Club.
Schmitz - Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Nauvoo is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at
www.sbbfuneralhome.com.
