Clarence Klenke
d. December 1, 2014
Clarence Earl Klenke was born on October 22, 1937, in Stoneham Township, Chippewa County, near Clara City, MN; the son of August F. and Grace M. Klenke. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. At a very young age, he worked on the family farm. He attended elementary school and high school in Clara City, graduating in 1955.
Clarence lived his whole life in Clara City. He was employed by the Clara City State Bank from 1961 – 1971 and continued his career in banking with Citizen’s State Bank from 1971 – 1999. For several years after retirement, he assisted Harlan and Scott Ruiter with fall beet harvest. He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Petersen on April 11, 1970, at the First Lutheran Church in Lake Lillian, and served his country in the United States Army Reserve. For 41 years, he was a proud member of Clara City American Legion Post 485.
Clarence was a kind and caring man. He was always concerned with his farmer clientele and took great pride in the financial services he provided them. He enjoyed all kinds of sports, playing cards, gardening, traveling to all 50 states and taking Mary on trips to Europe. He also looked forward to their winter ‘get-aways’ to South Padre Island, TX and Lake Havasu City, AZ. Clarence was the type of man that kept his emotion inside, but his love for Mary and family always came through.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary of Clara City; his children- Carren Klenke of Plainsboro, NJ; Melanie Klenke of St. Louis Park, and Chad Klenke of Houston, TX; his sister- Erma (& Bud) DeGrote of Clara City; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Preceding Clarence in death were his parents August & Grace Klenke; his sister and brother-in-law Evelyn & Louis DeBower; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Viola & William Petersen and a brother-in-law Robert Petersen.
Clarence lived his whole life in Clara City. He was employed by the Clara City State Bank from 1961 – 1971 and continued his career in banking with Citizen’s State Bank from 1971 – 1999. For several years after retirement, he assisted Harlan and Scott Ruiter with fall beet harvest. He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Petersen on April 11, 1970, at the First Lutheran Church in Lake Lillian, and served his country in the United States Army Reserve. For 41 years, he was a proud member of Clara City American Legion Post 485.
Clarence was a kind and caring man. He was always concerned with his farmer clientele and took great pride in the financial services he provided them. He enjoyed all kinds of sports, playing cards, gardening, traveling to all 50 states and taking Mary on trips to Europe. He also looked forward to their winter ‘get-aways’ to South Padre Island, TX and Lake Havasu City, AZ. Clarence was the type of man that kept his emotion inside, but his love for Mary and family always came through.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary of Clara City; his children- Carren Klenke of Plainsboro, NJ; Melanie Klenke of St. Louis Park, and Chad Klenke of Houston, TX; his sister- Erma (& Bud) DeGrote of Clara City; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Preceding Clarence in death were his parents August & Grace Klenke; his sister and brother-in-law Evelyn & Louis DeBower; his mother-in-law and father-in-law Viola & William Petersen and a brother-in-law Robert Petersen.
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