Donavon Lee Kleine, 66, of Tama, passed away Sunday, May 24, 2026 at home due to a sudden illness. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM at New Life Evangelical Free Church in Tama with Pastor Steve Brant officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 28, 2026 from 5-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Donavon was born on July 4, 1959, in Fairbury, Nebraska, the son of Elmer and Aletha (Elske) Kleine.

In 1977, he graduated from Meridian High School in Nebraska and then studied at South East Community College graduating in M.I.G. welding.

On November 23, 1985, he married Sandra Hopper in Toledo, Iowa, and together they had a son, Nyle. Donavon was passionate about studying the Bible. He enjoyed woodburning, tinkering, and his Purple Martin birds in his retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Sandy of Tama; son, Nyle (Kelsey) Kleine of Brooklyn; grandson, Ryker; his father, Elmer Kleine of Nebraska; two brothers, Monte (Deb) Kleine of Missouri, and Shawn (Barb) Kleine of Nebraska; sisters, Kimberly (Mike) Kamler, Tonya (Ed) Higel, and Shannon (Craig) Burkhart, all of Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Aletha; sister and brother-in-law, LaVonne (Mike) Hosak; and nephew, Nathan Kleine.

A memorial fund will be established.