Meet your neighbor: The Klopfenstein family

Meet the Klopfensteins: Grant, his wife Deb and their three children, Baylie, a freshman at WMU, Brooks who is in 1st grade and Bryson in 7th grade. They are following in their dad’s footsteps as he graduated from WMU in 2010.

Grant went on to attend Iowa State University where he majored in Animal Science. After college, he returned to Winfield where he is a full-time farmer.

“I’m proud to be the fourth generation on our farm, and I hope my kids will become the fifth,” Grant said. “We raise corn, soybeans, turkeys and cattle. Farming has taught me had work, teamwork and long-term planning—values I bring to everything I do.”

Following his marriage, they lived in Hills for several years but continued to open-enrolled their kids to Winfield.

“We moved back to Winfield in 2025 and renovated a farm home that was owned and occupied by the late Karen Buffington,” Grant said. “It was a big step for our family and reflects how committed we are to WMU and the future of this town.”

Grant met his wife, Deb, through the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association at the Iowa State Alumni Building—fitting since their shared roots in agriculture and their love for Iowa State run deep. She works in agriculture and marketing, helping support farmers and cooperatives across the Midwest.

Deb grew up in southeast Iowa and graduated from Iowa City West High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and Pre-Law from the University of Iowa and is currently pursuing her Executive MBA at Iowa State University.

“Outside of work, I enjoy running, home renovation projects and being active in our church,” said Deb, adding, “My faith is an important part of my life and influences how I approach family, leadership and community service.”

Both she and Grant are busy with family activities, which include 4-H, FFA, youth sports and cattle shows.

The Klopfensteins attend Compass Church in North Liberty. Grant has been involved in local ag and community organizations over the years.

Grant said, “My faith plays and important role in how I approach service and parenting.”

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and being involved in his kids’ activities, such as coaching Bryson and Brooks’ Little League baseball teams and helping with the Capac wrestling club. Baylie is an active 4-H and FFA member and Grant enjoys supporting her and helping her with 4-H projects, especially when it comes to showing cattle.

“We’ve traveled around the country for shows, and it’s been a great way to stay connected to teach responsibility and stay connected to agriculture. I also enjoy being outdoors and taking in small-town life whenever I can.”

Grant stated that one of his proudest accomplishments is carrying on the family’s fourth-generation farm and raising his kids in Winfield.

“Watching them grow and being able to coach their sports teams and support their 4-H and cattle shows has been incredibly meaningful,” he said.

Grants said that coming back to Winfield and enrolling his kids here after years of open enrollment was a big step.

“It shows our commitment to the district and community, I’m proud of the work ethic and values farming has taught me, and I want to bring that same dedication to serving our school.”

And that is the reason Grant has put his name on the ballot for the upcoming school board election. Grant feels he is well qualified to be a school board member. When asked what he can bring to the school board Grant replied, “I bring the perspective of both a parent and a lifelong member of this community. As a farmer, I’m used to working hard, planning for the long term, and managing budgets and resources carefully--skills that translate directly to serving on the board. My family has a long history of service here, and I want to continue that tradition by making sure our district stays strong for future generations. Most importantly, I understand the importance of being transparent, and working together to do what’s best for students, staff and families.”

If elected, Grant sets forth these goals: To do his part to strengthen the future of WMU for future generations. To support the teachers and staff, and to make sure students have opportunities to succeed. To Strengthen student engagement and participation across all extracurricular activities. Whether that’s FFA, sports, the arts or other student organizations. To keep communication open and transparent with families. To bring hard work, honesty, and a community-first mindset to the board.

In closing, Grant stated, “I’m proud of the direction W-MU is heading and I want to help keep that momentum going. My goal is to make our sure our school remains something every member of the community is proud of—a place where teachers want to work, families want to send their kids and students are prepared for success whether they choose college, the trades, or another path. Fatherhood has been the greatest blessing in my life, and raising my kids in Winfield has a deep commitment to this community. My faith is a guiding part of my life, and I believe with hard work, transparency, and community pride, we can keep WMU strong for generations to come.”

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