In memory: Dean Kleckner

Created: 6/19/15 (Fri) | Topic: Leadership

In the photo above, Dean Kleckner (on right) is presenting former NDFB President Howard Schmid with a quota jacket for reaching membership goal. The photo is from the '90s.

Former American Farm Bureau Federation President Dean Kleckner, 81, passed away earlier this week. Dean lived and farmed in northern Iowa, raising corn, soybeans and hogs. He was AFBF president for 14 years, from 1986 until 2000. Under Dean’s leadership, AFBF was a particularly important, visible influence on global trade issues. He was the only agricultural representative on a U.S. advisory team for the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations when they began in September 1986. He was appointed by Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton to numerous other national advisory committees and commissions.
 
Prior to becoming AFBF president, he was, for 10 years, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and a member of the AFBF board of directors, after serving as Iowa Farm Bureau vice president and as president of his native Floyd County Farm Bureau.
 
A public memorial service will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 8301 Aurora Avenue, Urbandale, Iowa, on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 3:00 p.m. Central. The committal, at McLarens Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, will be private. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 1000W, Washington, DC 20024 or The Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Cards/condolences can be sent to Dean’s wife, Natalie Kleckner, at 100 Promenade Avenue, #534, Wayzata, MN 55391.
 
 

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