Fred Andrew Klein

Fred Andrew Klein, age 68, passed away on February 8, 2026, in his home in Kennedy, MN. He was born in Denver, CO to Joan Esther Pickett and Ben Ray Klein on April 11, 1957. He was the oldest of three boys.

He attended Upper Columbia Academy from 10th through 12th grade, and he graduated in 1977. During his three years at the academy, he had five different jobs. He worked for his Uncle Ed in the Industrial Arts Department, the maintenance shop/bus garage, the cafeteria, and in grounds maintenance. He was also in charge of deciding when to have fire drills.

After graduation, he got a job driving truck with his dad. About one year later, an ad came out in The Gleaner for a long-haul truck driver and farm hand at Natural Way Mills in Middle River, MN. Fred's dad, Ben, answered the ad. Fred also got a job as the farm hand and sub driver. And that is where Fred met Pam Juhl. It was an instant connection.

Fred and Pam were married on February 26, 1980, in Kettering, OH. Their pastor had had both of them in academy, at two different schools, three years apart. Pam had graduated from San Pasqual Academy in Escondido, CA, in 1974.

In August of 1980, they moved to Pendleton, OR, where Fred got a job at Harris Pine Mills. They were there for four years, and their daughter, Sandi, came into the picture in November of 1983. In June of 1984, Fred's dad, who had horses, got a job driving them in Wells, NV. So Fred and Pam joined him. They moved to Portland, OR in July of 1984, where Fred got a job driving truck with his dad. In September, they moved back to Minnesota to help Pam's dad with the boarding home. Fred also became a sub driver for Pam's dad, Ken. During this time, their second daughter, Dana, came into the picture. She was born in Karlstad Hospital on Sunday, March 30, 1986, which just happened to be Easter Sunday.

Fred attended AVTI in Thief River Falls for welding, and he graduated with his certificate in the spring of 1988. Pam and Fred were both helping with pathfinders in Karlstad. This became their life's mission.

Fred is survived by his wife, Pam Klein; daughter, Sandi (Ben) Isaacs -- along with their children, Christina, Andrea, and Parker -- and daughter, Dana (Kevin) Weyerts. He is also survived by his brother, Don Klein.

Fred was preceded in death by his father, Ben (January 2021), his mother, JoAnn (May 2024), and his brother, Kelvin (January 2021).

A memorial service for Fred will be held at Karlstad Seventh-day Adventist Church on Saturday, February 14 at 4:00 p.m. A light meal will be served at the church following the service. Interment will be at a later date in Awaiting His Call Cemetery, rural Middle River, MN.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Fred Andrew Klein, please click here to visit our sympathy store.

Memorial Donation