Jesse E. Klebe

COLEBROOK, NH -- Mr. Jesse E. Klebe, 81, of Colebrook, NH, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook, with his loving family at his side. He was born on September 28, 1929, at the big farmhouse on Diamond Pond in Stewartstown, NH, a son of the late Walter G. and Una (Little) Klebe. He attended the Harvey Swell School and the Bear Rock School for his elementary education, and graduated from Colebrook Academy with the Class of 1947. After graduation, he worked on the farm until he was drafted in 1951. He was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division in the Korean War. He also served in Fairbanks, Alaska at Ladd Air Force Base. There, he was a mechanic in the motor pool and became the company commander’s jeep driver. He was then promoted to motor pool sergeant. Jesse was proud of his honorable service in the Army and always said that he learned a lot from his service. His commanders used to love to hear him play his harmonica and always asked him to play it louder so they could hear it better. Jesse returned to the north country in 1953 and continued to work on the farm. He ran the farm for three years before the Coleman family sold it to the State of NH, and made it the Coleman State Park. With the sale of the farm and camps, he was heartbroken, as he has always wanted to work there as his father and grandfather, Herbert Little, had done. Also upon his return from the military, Jesse met and married Janet Shallow in 1955, and she was always the love of his life. After his time at the farm, he went to work for Joe McLean at the Colebrook Auto Body as an auto body technician. After Joe sold that business, he continued with the new owner, Walter Belknap. After that, Jesse worked for Fred King at Crest Auto in 1967, staying there through several owners. He retired from Lewis Ford, working for David McLean, in the auto body shop. He was very proud of his 35-plus years years as an auto body tech, always loving his job. In Jesse’s and Janet’s 40 years of marriage, they designed and built their home on Bridge Street, with most of the lumber from the old farm at Diamond Pond. They also built a camp in Columbia that they loved. Jesse loved his family and life growing up on Diamond Pond. It was always hard work, but they “made their own fun” living so far from town. He always had many fond memories of the camp boys and girls, the guests, and Mr. Coleman at the Diamond Pond Camps. Jesse was very fond of music, especially country music, and he played it all the time. He loved the song “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones, and said that it described his feelings about his wife, Janet. He was also very close to all his 1947 C.A. classmates and always talked of the good times that they had together. He was a truly amazing person who could build or fix anything, just like his father. He always had a large, bountiful garden, just like his grandfather H. Little, and he was an excellent cook and was renowned for the best pickles. Jesse enjoyed snowmobiling and he and his wife were members of the Colebrook Ski-Bees. He also enjoyed mowing his many lawns, even all the way to the Lemington bridge. He was devoted to his pets, Master, Skipper, Penny, Nicky and Boots, and he loved taking photos of everyone and telling jokes. Jesse was especially fond of April Fools’ Day when he always tricked his wife, and he loved Halloween. He leaves behind a son, Duane G. Klebe and wife Brenda of Clarksville, NH; two daughters, Darlene J. Cote and husband Mark of Barton, Vt., and Dallas Bordeau and husband Jeff of Jay, Vt.; a sister, Doris Jackson of Lemington, Vt.; two brothers, Curtis Klebe of Colebrook and Leonard Klebe of West Stewartstown; seven grandchildren wh will always remember him telling them, “Don’t worry, be happy!”, Angela Klebe of Cushing, Ok., Jaime Kingsbury of North Hartland, Vt., Christopher Cote of North Hartland, Summer Klebe and Beth Bordeau, both of North Troy, Vt., Jacob Bordeau of Newport, Vt., and Tyler Bordeau of Jay, Vt; six great-grandchildren, Madison and Kyah Bordeau, Logan, Alexander and Hazen Bordeau, Brianna bordeau, and a new bundle of joy, Morgan Paige Kingsbury due to arrive in November; two very special sisters-in-law, Thelma Daley of Colebrook, and Elseia Richards of South Canaan, Vt.; as well as several nieces and nephews. Mr. Klebe is preceded in death by his loving wife of forty years, Janet, in 1995; a brother Robert Klebe; a sister, Ruth Solomon, and sisters-in-law, Gloria and Judi Klebe. There is a saying, “All that truly matters in the end is that you were loved,” and Jesse truly was. At his specific request, there are no calling hours, and all services will be private at a later date. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Klebe’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Jesse E. Klebe

September 28, 1929 - October 5, 2010