Loren Klitzke

Funeral services celebrating the life of Loren Klitzke, age 69, of Glencoe were held at 3:00 PM Saturday, September 19, 2009 at Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe. Officiating was Pastor Duane Hetland. The pianist was Twyla Kirkeby. The hymns included “Eternal Father,” “Beautiful Savior,” “I heard the Voice of Jesus Say” and “Joyful, Joyful.” Serving as casket bearers were Jessie Hardel, Anthony Hardel, Jeremy Hardel, Daniel Klitzke, Thomas Klitzke and Jessica Klitzke. Interment was at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Visitation was held Friday evening at the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe.

Loren Earl Klitzke was born October 17, 1939 the son of Milton and Elizabeth (Brelje) Klitzke in Round Grove Township in McLeod County. He was baptized on November 5, 1939 at the Fernando Lutheran Church by Rev. G. Bentz and later confirmed into the faith on March 29, 1953 at First Ev. Lutheran Church in Glencoe by Rev. A. Fellwook. Loren was united in marriage with Jean Kohnert on March 14, 1959 by Rev. H. Bode at First Lutheran parsonage. Loren was a career US Navy officer and lived with his family in several places including Glenview, Illinois, Seattle, Washington, Oak Harbor, Washington and Great Lakes, Illinois. After he retired from the US Navy in 1977 he moved to Glencoe and went to work at the local John Deere dealership and also Green Giant for a time. In 1991, he moved up to Pine River working for various manufacturers of wood products until retiring in 2003 when he returned to Glencoe. Loren was a life member of Glencoe VFW and a past Post Commander. He also was a Glencoe Legion Club member and a past member of the McLeod Sheriff’s Posse. He was a member of the Good Sam Club and also a Lake Marion Rod & Gun member. Loren attended First Ev. Lutheran Church for most of his life and had recently joined Christ Lutheran Church in Glencoe. Loren loved to help people with whatever they needed, especially building things out of wood. He loved to spend his weekend out camping and fishing with family and friends. He also had an extensive collections of die cast trucks and farm machinery. Loren’s greatest joy later in life was to help his friends and spend time with his dear grandchildren. On Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Loren Klitzke entered his eternal rest at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park at the age of 69 years, 10 months and 28 days. He is preceded in death by his parents. Loren is survived by his wife Jean Klitzke of Glencoe; children David Klitzke (Jennifer) of Chanhassen, Donna Hardel (Kenneth) of Glencoe, Michael Klitzke (Ratchaneewan) of Lihue, HI, Frederick Klitzke (Sandy) of Glencoe; grandchildren Jessie Hardel (fiancée: Melissa Harstad), Anthony Hardel, Jeremy Hardel, Daniel Klitzke, Thomas Klitzke, Sarah Morales (Raul), Jessica Klitzke, Jaxson Klitzke; great grandchildren Isabel and Alexander; brother Dale Klitzke of Roswell, GA; brothers and sisters-in-law Frederick Kohnert (Hilary) of The Villages, FL, Richard Kohnert (Nancy) of Wauwatosa, WI, Dorothy Kimball (Dennis) of Sparta, WI, Jacqueline Wilcoxson (Kent) of Las Vegas, NV; as well as other relatives and friends.

Arrangements were with the Johnson-McBride Funeral Chapel in Glencoe. For online guestbook, please visit www.mcbridefuneralchapels.com