Joseph Kleinschmidt

Joseph S. “Joe” Kleinschmidt, Jr., age 87 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 21 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Jim Maderak officiating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Joseph Steven Kleinschmidt was born November 1, 1931 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Joseph, Sr. and Margaret (Laubach) Kleinschmidt.   Joe served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1953.  He was united in marriage to Jeanette Schurman on January 27, 1953 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Melrose. Joe was the co-owner of Centre Jobbing in Sauk Centre and then became a custodian at Sauk Centre Public Schools, retiring in 1997.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Paul F. Donart VFW Post 2853, American Legion Post 67, and the Bishop Busch Council #4863 Knights of Columbus.  Joe enjoyed fishing, spending time at the cabin with family and friends, playing cards, shaking dice, and assembling puzzles.  He was an active volunteer with the A.R.C.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Jeanette Kleinschmidt of Sauk Centre; children, Larry (Audrey) Kleinschmidt of Sauk Centre, Ned (JoAnn) Kleinschmidt of Glenwood, Rosemarie (Gary) Marthaler of Sauk Centre, Julie (Dennis) Pfeifer of Safety Harbor, Florida, Lisa (Darryl) Ilgen of Hector, and Tim (Mary) Kleinschmidt of Sauk Rapids; son-in-law, Steve (Mary) Klick of Glenwood; 28 grandchildren and 46 great-grandchildren with one on the way; brother, Fr. Sylvester Kleinschmidt of Sauk Centre; sister, Cecile Zehrer of Sauk Centre; and sister-in-law, Trix Kleinschmidt of Sauk Centre.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Margaret “Peggy” Klick; son, Joel Kleinschmidt; brother, Ollie Kleinschmidt; and sisters, Anna Mae Pfeninger, Millie Vener, and Betty Lou Kleinschmidt.

Serving as casket bearers will be Aaron Marthaler, Travis Marthaler, Adam Kleinschmidt, Luke Kleinschmidt, Brady Klick, Casey Klick, and Calvin Ilgen.  Cross bearer will be Karlee Rieland and scripture bearer will be Anders Klick.  Readers will be Jennifer Klick and Karlee Rieland and the words of remembrance will be read by Larry Kleinschmidt.