Joseph Carl Klene

Joseph Carl Klene passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, on April 18th, 2023. 

He will be remembered in a Memorial Service this Sunday, April 23rd at 1:30 pm at the Parker Schoolhouse Theater, located at 19650 E Mainstreet in Parker, Co. Joe hated to dress up, so come as you are, nothing fussy or fancy. The service will be immediately followed by a Raucous Wake at the home of his oldest daughter, also in Parker, Co, the address will be provided at the service.

Joe was born in Denver on June 19, 1956, the third child and first son of Don and Mary Klene, long time Arvada residents. He was followed by ten more siblings, nine boys and one more girl, and grew up in a wonderful, large and loving family. He played football in school, loved driving his souped up Mustang too fast, and before he was out of his teens was already coaching his younger brothers in baseball.

Joe started working early and worked hard all his life…He worked first as an auto mechanic, then doing construction for Hutchinson Homes, followed by working at the Rio Grande Railroad as a machinist. The Rio Grande had frequent lay offs during those years and Joe would often work two or three jobs to support his family during the layoffs. He started work at Denver Water in 1983 laying pipe and soon moved into the Metal Shop as a welder. He had many welding certifications and was a perfectionist at his work. He was foreman of the DWD Metal Shop for several years before his retirement in 2022. 

Joe and his wife Maura (Cannon), married in 1977 and have five children together, Eileen (Jarrett) Gordon, Bridget, Kelly (Jonah), Michael, and Rhianna. His children and grandchildren (Riley, Jameson, Kelly, Emily and Tessa Gordon) were the joy of his life. He was so proud of each of them and his love for them was huge and unconditional. 

Joe loved people and his kindness, enthusiasm, and generosity helped him make friends wherever he went.

Joe was a craftsman; he could create beautiful things out of wood or metal, and could fix anything.  He loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, fishing, binge watching Yellowstone, and watching the wildlife that are abundant on his acreage. He especially loved catching and relocating the large bull snakes that would sometimes find their way into the chicken coop. 

Joe was deeply loved by his wife, Maura, and his large family of siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Don and Mary Klene, and his brothers Matthew and Dan. He is survived by his wife and children, and siblings, Chris, Jean, Dave, Tom, John, Bob, Sue, Steve, Paul and Don. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Special Olympics Colorado or the Parker Task Force. 

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