Edgar Edward Kliethermes

Edgar Edward Kliethermes, 91, of Bonnots Mill, passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

Edgar was born September 17, 1934, and grew up at Cadet Creek, the son of Paul and Elizabeth (Dudenhoeffer) Kliethermes.

Edgar grew up working on the family farm. He served in the Army in the Alaska Territory. 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, Edgar also worked on almost all the houses around Bonnots Mill, often without asking for compensation. He was an expert woodworker and many homes in central Missouri are decorated with his beautiful hand-made items.

Edgar was a dedicated member of St. Louis of France Catholic Church. He 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. He served in many roles for the Knights of Columbus Council 2027.

Edgar enjoyed work, jokes, country music, westerns, and Cardinals baseball. He played guitar and the harmonica and wiled away the hours whistling.

Edgar was united in marriage to Marlene Samson. They were married for 56 years until her death in 2017. Edgar is survived by his large family. His children are Gary (Laura) Kliethermes of Cottonport LA; Dianne (Darryl) Ruettgers of Taos; Mary Sue (Don) Fontana of Prairie Home; Julie (Bryan) Boeckmann of Pershing; Tom Kliethermes of Lenexa KS; Mike (Liesje Myers) Kliethermes of Westphalia; Chris (Brenda) Kliethermes of Des Moines IA; and Sarah (Shawn) Lange of Frankenstein. His grandchildren are Riley (Cade) Balzer, Haley Kliethermes, Jamie (Joe) Schwob, Todd (Chessa) Ruettgers, John Fontana, Zachary (Madeline) Boeckmann, Erin (Drew) Koerner, Luca and Simon Kliethermes, Mary (Gavin) Williams, Mark, Marlene, Michelle, Mathew, and Monroe Kliethermes; Henry and George Kliethermes, and TJ Lange. His great-grandchildren are August, Colton, and Elizabeth Schwob; Teddy, Mellie, and Babies Ruettgers; Beau and Kit Boeckmann; and Isla Koerner.

Edgar is also survived by 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. 

He was preceded in death by 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, Bob Samson, and Ralph Samson.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at Morton Chapel in Linn, with a prayer service and rosary at 3:30 pm.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at St. Louis of France Catholic Church in Bonnots Mill, with Fr. Tony Rinaldo as the Celebrant. Burial with Full Military Honors will be in the St. Louis of France Parish Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the St. Louis Parish or the St. Louis Cemetery Fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214)  www.mortonchapel.com