Joahnnes Kleiman was born on 17 August 1896 in Koog aan de Zaan, Holland. He married Johanna Reuman and they had a daughter, Corrie.
Otto and Johannes were old business associates, but only became close in 1933 when the Frank family emigrated to Amsterdam to escape the Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany.
Otto set up Opekta and hired Johannes to do the book-keeping. Pectacon was set up some years later and Johannes became a member of the board. He was also employed to do the accounts for both businesses.
Following the Nazi occupation of Holland in May 1940 and the Jewish persecution, Johannes and Otto started to adapt an empty part of the office building for habitation.
To avoid being deported to a forced-labour camp when Margot was sent a call-up notice, it was decided on 6 July 1942, that the Frank family would go into hiding in the prepared Secret Annex.
This meant that Johannes and the other Opekta workers would be responsible for them while in hiding. This was a dangerous task, but one that all agreed to without hesitiation.
When the Secret Annex was raided on August 4 1944, Johannes was arrested along with the annex occupants and transferred with Victor Kugler to prison and then to Amersfoort camp, where they were separated.
Johannes was released after just one week due to his ill-health. He returned to the offices where he was greeted by Bep and Miep like an old friend and took over the running of the company again.
Johannes became greatly involved in the set-up of The Anne Frank House, and organised tours around the Secret Annex. He died sitting behind his desk on January 28 1959, shortly before the museum opened to the public in May 1960.
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