Funeral: 11 AM Thursday, 3/7/2013 at St. James Lutheran Church of Howard Lake
Visitation 4-7 PM Wednesday at Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Howard Lake and 1hr prior to funeral at church on Thursday
Prayer service: 6:30 PM Wednesday at the funeral home
Interment: Howard Lake Cemetery
Kenneth Erwin Klammer was born March 16, 1932 on the
family farm in Victor Township, rural Howard Lake the son of Erwin and Milla
(Stoppelman) Klammer. A lifelong member
of St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake, he was baptized on April 10, 1932 by
Pastor C. G. Seltz and confirmed in his faith on March 25, 1945 by Pastor Theo.
Melinat.
He began
school at the Merriman one-room school house located on the family farm and
upon its closing completed his elementary education at St. James Lutheran
School. Attending Howard Lake High School he met his sweetheart Shirley Ann
Stock. He graduated on June 1, 1949.
While
working on the farm, he was drafted into the United States Army in November of
1953. There he served as a
correspondence clerk for the 230th Infantry. Upon the unexpected death of his father,
Erwin, he was honorably discharged allowing him to come home and continue the
operation of the family farm.
On November
9, 1956, Ken and Shirley were united in marriage at St. James Lutheran
Church. They were blessed with three
children Joni, Lori and Steve. Ken was a
family man and enjoyed vacations and adventures with his family. Bowling in the Monday night men’s league,
golfing with Shirley and spending winters in Texas were activities he
enjoyed. He served on various co-op
boards and was a faithful volunteer at St. James Church, having served as
President and Vice-President of the congregation and as a member of the
building and finance committees. For many
years he sang in the church choir and served as an usher.
It was on
March 1, 2013, while a resident at the Howard Lake Good Samaritan Care Center
that Ken was called to his eternal rest, having reached the age of 80 years, 11
months and 13 days.
He was
preceded in death by his parents Erwin and Milla Klammer; and one brother Wayne
Klammer.
Ken is
survived by his loving wife of 56 years Shirley; daughter Joni (Curt) Hedtke,
granddaughter Amanda (Adam) Hastings, great-grandchildren Max and Jack, grandson
Christopher (Kirsten) Hedtke; daughter Lori (Jim) Manecke, grandchildren Katie
and Benjamin; son Steve (Kathy), grandsons Wayne, Mitch, Kyle and Wes; two
sisters Marcella Yager and Arlene (Dale) Lemmerman; sister-in-law Sandra
Jensen; nieces, nephews; relatives and friends.
Pallbearers
are his grandchildren, Amanda Hastings, Christopher Hedtke, Wayne Klammer,
Mitch Klammer, Kyle Klammer, Wes Klammer, Katie Manecke and Benjamin Manecke.
Officiating at the celebration
of his life today is Reverend Michael Nirva. Luke Dahl is serving as organist
with soloist Marge Stueven, School Grades 1 & 2 and members of the St.
James Worship Choir providing special music.
Interment will be at the Howard Lake Cemetery.