John Klasen

John S. Klasen, age 87 of Sauk Centre, died Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at CentraCare Health Systems Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 14 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

John Stephen Klasen was born August 25, 1926 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Ben and Theresa (Engelmeyer) Klasen. After completing school, John worked in construction and as a farm hand. On October 13, 1956 he married Margaret Middendorf at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose. The couple moved to the Brookdale Farm in Sauk Centre in 1958. They retired in the fall of 1990 and built a new home on the far edge of the farmland. John enjoyed bowling, reading, listening to music, dancing, trips to the casino, Sunday drives, and most of all, spending time with his family. John battled with Type 1 diabetes for over 50 years and towards the end of his life also dealt with macular degeneration, leaving him almost completely blind.

John was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre and Catholic United Financial.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret "Margie" Klasen of Sauk Centre; children, Greg (Jeanie) Klasen of Sauk Centre, Susan (Alan) Albrecht of Shoreview, Debbie (Jim) Justin of Shoreview, and Kristine (Greg) Silus of Lakeville; grandchildren, Lily, Veronica, and Anthony Klasen, Zack Wyman, and John, Andrew, and Nick Justin; and sisters, Lorraine (Ray) Wenker of Melrose, Mildred "Millie" (Virgil) Beuning of Key Stone Heights, Florida, and Janet (Marvin) Notch of Melrose.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Theresa Klasen; sister, Irene Kerfeld; and brother, Richard Klasen.

Serving as urn bearer will be his grandson John Justin. Cross bearer will be his granddaughter, Lily Klasen and scripture bearer will be his grandson, Zack Wyman. Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren, Andrew Justin, Nick Justin, Veronica Klasen and Anthony Klasen.