Paul Klenke Obituary
Services for Paul R. Klenke, 70, of Welcome, Minn., will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minn. Burial will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 16, at St. John’s Cemetery in Lake City with full military graveside honors by the Minnesota National Guard.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 15, at the Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue one hour prior to the time of service at the church.
Paul passed away Monday, March 11, 2019, at the Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato, Minn.
The Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Paul Richard Klenke was born on Dec. 28, 1948, in Lake City. He is the son of Glen and Sophie (Schlichting) Klenke. Paul attended country school and later Lake City Public Schools, graduating in 1966. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1968, served a tour of duty in Vietnam, and received an honorable discharge in 1971.
On April 28, 1973, Paul united in marriage to Judith Holst at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake City. The couple made their home in Welcome, where they were blessed with four children, Heidi Jo (deceased), Heather, Amy and Paula.
Paul attended Jackson Vocational Technical School following his marriage and graduated with a degree in construction electrician. He worked for local contractors until he obtained his masters license and started his own business, Klenke Electric in Welcome. He remained in business until his health forced him to retire and close his business in 2002.
Paul was a charter member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Fairmont, where he held many offices throughout his life. He was also a lifetime member of the Lake City VFW, Welcome Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans.
Paul enjoyed camping with his family along with fishing and hunting. Even as his health deteriorated, he obtained a special license to allow him to continue his sport. His spare time was filled with helping his children and spending time with his grandchildren.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Judith; daughters, Heather of Cresco, Iowa, Amy (Jem) Hamilton of Slayton, Minn. and Paula (Michael) Braaten of Butterfield, Minn.; as well as his dog, Sandy; six grandchildren, Sophie, Henry, and Oliver Hamilton and Bristol, Logan and Parker Braaten; brothers, Dale (Margaret) Klenke of Lebanon, Tenn., Leon (Lydia) Klenke of Red Wing, Randy (Rita) Klenke of Cadott, Wis., Neil (Pamela) Klenke of Lake City; sisters, Faye Conway of Lake City and Joyce Klenke of Rochester; as well as nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his daughter, Heidi Jo; parents, Glen and Sophie Klenke; grandparents, Claus and Henrietta (Dohrn) Klenke, and Diedrich and Friedericka (Quell) Schlichting; aunts and uncles.
Online condolences may be left at www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net.