Jesus spoke to His followers, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

All who knew Carol Kleier experienced the generous, enduring, self-sacrificing love that can only come from a rich relationship with Jesus Christ. Her life was a treasure.

Carol Dean (Sims) Kleier passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026. She was born the third daughter to Chester and Lena Sims on July 13, 1938, in Humansville, Missouri.

Carol graduated from Seymour High School. She was married to Freeman Kleier on April 13, 1957, and they treasured 63 years together. Carol was a faithful and caring wife and mother of two boys, working in the Springfield Public Schools District as a Secretary for many years at both Pepperdine and Williams Elementary Schools. After she retired from Springfield Public Schools, she continued to invest in children through the “Reading Buddies” program, spending weekly time helping children in our community learn to love reading. An avid reader herself, Carol said that from the time she was a little girl, she “felt rich” if she had a good book in her hands.

In 1975, after returning from Washington D.C. where Freeman served in the United States Air Force, Carol and Freeman joined Hamlin Baptist Church and were cherished members of the Hamlin family. They helped with various missions opportunities and youth camps, volunteering in the community, and humbly serving those inside and outside the church when there was a need. They held a unique role in the church as volunteers with the church’s baptism ministry. As believers at Hamlin made a public declaration of their inward faith through baptism, Freeman and Carol assisted those being baptized by providing clean baptismal robes beforehand and towels afterward, ensuring they felt cared for during this meaningful step of obedience. Carol served devotedly as an Adult Leader in the Youth Group at Hamlin, investing in countless young women for the sake of Christ. She also had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing alongside her sisters and friends in the Church Choir.

Some of Carol’s most treasured roles were her role as a mother and Grammy. She and Freeman kept a peaceful, stable, loving home – a place where her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren felt safe and valued. She was deeply involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren, attending games, school events, and faithfully remembering birthday cards in the mail. Carol made others around her feel special – she was a careful listener, encouraging, and helped everyone feel welcome. She was gentle, but always up for a good laugh! Those who spent time around her were enriched by her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Lena Sims; her husband, Freeman Kleier; and her sisters, Faye Holden, Glenda Hays, Carlene Bischoff, and Myria Hart. She is survived by her sons, Don Kleier and his wife, Bonnie, and Terry Kleier and his wife, Myra; her grandchildren, Aaron Kleier and his wife Holly, Kevin Kleier and his wife Michelle, Kelsey Palomino and her husband Philip, Taylor Corcoran and her husband Colby, Rachael Kleier, and Emily Childers and her husband Dale; and her nine great-grandchildren, with another on the way!

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all… a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:29, 30b)

Visitation will be held 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Hamlin Baptist Church, 1942 W. Farm Road 102, in Springfield, MO. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., in the church.  Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m., at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S. Southwood Road, in Springfield.

Donations in Carol’s memory can be given on the Ridgecrest Baptist Church giving page at: https://onrealm.org/RidgecrestBapti/-/form/give/default  Click the link and select “Lesotho” from the drop-down list.

All funds given will be marked by Ridgecrest for ministry to the Basotho people, such as Bibles, orphan care, ministry to vulnerable families, discipleship resources, etc.

Thank you to everyone who came to visit Carol during her hospital stay.  The gentle touches, sweet words of love, encouragement, and memories are priceless.  It was a true testament of the love Carol gave so freely during her years here on Earth.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude for the caregivers and staff at Mercy for their excellent care and support during Carol’s final days.  Kayla, in particular, was truly sent by the Lord to comfort Carol and our family.

Care has been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home East.