Obituary of Ernest Kleweno

Friday night at Coventry House Ernest left to join Verna his wife, who passed away just 6 weeks ago. Ernest Philip Kleweno was born March 15, 1918 at the family farm near Penawawaa, WA, to Philip and Martha Kleweno, who were Russian German immigrants. Ernest attended a one room school at Dusty, WA where he learned to speak English and he graduated from the eighth grade. The family moved to Pomeroy, WA where he met Verna Futter at the Prayer League Tabernacle church in Lewiston, Idaho. They married October 4, 1941. Three children were born of that union; Charlotte L Kleweno DuBois, Othello; Douglas G Kleweno (Beverly), Athens, GA; and David D Kleweno (Pamela), Okemos Michigan. Ernest has 6 grandchildren and 5 great grand children. Ernest grew wheat for his father. He drove and cared for his mule team from the time he was 14 years old. In 1943, he bought a band of 1000 head of sheep and produced wool and meat for the servicemen of WWII. In 1955 the family moved to Enterprise OR and he started raising cattle. There he bought his first three Registered Angus Cows. They because the cornerstones of High Hill Angus Ranch of Soap Lake, WA, which he owned and operated with Verna for 35 years. Ernie was known for his excellent Angus breeding program and his quality, gentle Registered Angus bulls and heifers. Verna and Ernest were the 1998, Grant County Cattlemen of the Year and he also is a past master of the Adrian Grange at Soap Lake. November 1999 Ernest and Verna moved to their retirement home on Crestline Road in Othello to be near their daughter Charlotte DuBois. Last fall Ernest and Verna joined the Coventry House Family. A memorial gift may be made to Heifer Int'l in his memory. A memorial service will be held at Coventry House Assisted Living, 430 N 2nd., Othello, WA Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are in the care of Danekas Funeral Home, Othello.