Albertus Hermanus "Bert" Kleinenberg

1933 - 2021

Albertus (Bert) Hermanus Kleinenberg passed away on April 8, 2021 at his home in Big Lake, Alaska surrounded by his wife Ardith (Ardi), his son Ben and his wife's family. Bert was born on February 2, 1933 in Musselkanaal, Netherlands.

Bert enlisted in the Dutch Army when he was 18 years old. During his first year in the Army he met Louise Oldthafer and they were married on January 31,1955;Bert adopted Louise's young daughter, Rose. Bert and Louise had three more children while they lived in the Netherlands; daughter, Thea and sons Ben and Ron.

In 1962 the family moved to Turkey where Bert worked as a chef for the American Army. In November 1967, the family moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Bert became a naturalized citizen on April 13, 1973 and in the summer of 1973, he was hired as the Port Steward for the Alaska Marine Highway and the family moved to Juneau.

Bert and Louise were divorced on July 14, 1974. Bert married Ardi Maynard on August26, 1977. They later moved to Big Lake, Alaska and purchased the Klondike Inn. Unfortunately on June 4, 1996, the Klondike Inn was completely burned down during the Miller's Reach Fire and they, as many others of the Big Lake community, lost their home and all of their belongings. Bert and Ardi loved Big Lake and the community and decided to stay there and enjoy their retirement.

Bert was predeceased by his first wife Louise who passed away on 2/16/2015 in Juneau at Wildflower Court Nursing Home and seven months later, his youngest son Ron Kleinenberg passed away unexpectedly at Ron's home in Juneau on 9/21/2015. Bert leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years, Ardi and her family. He also leaves behind his daughter Rose Moore (her children Katie, Bert and Shawn); his daughter Thea Nelson (husband Ron; their sons, Anthony Nelson and partner Kelso; and Andrew Nelson and partner Emiliano); and his son Ben Kleinenberg (Ben's son Dustin and daughters Heidi and Holly); two sisters in the Netherlands and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bert was cremated and per his request there will be no services held.