Orville Kleinschmidt

Orville W. "Ollie" Kleinschmidt, age 88 of Sauk Centre, died Monday, May 28, 2012 at St. Michael's Nursing Home in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 1 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Rev. Sylvester Kleinschmidt will preside with Rev. James Statz and Rev. Todd Schneider concelebrating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 8 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by Knights of Columbus and Catholic United Financial rosary at 7:30 p.m.

Orville William Kleinschmidt was born March 25, 1924 in St. Martin, Minnesota to Joseph and Margaret (Laubach) Kleinschmidt. He grew up on the family farm near Elrosa, where he attended school through the eighth grade. He then worked on the family farm before traveling to Oregon and working as a fireman on the Northern Pacific Railroad. He later moved to California and drove truck for Raymond Brothers Trucking throughout California. He was chosen to drive the first "piggy back" semi-truck into California.After a few years he returned to Sauk Centre and worked for his dad in Joe's Pool Hall. He married Teresa Liebel on June 21, 1949 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. They made their home in Sauk Centre for 63 years, and he had resided the past 41/2 years at Getty Street Assisted Living.Ollie and his father started the Centre Jobbing Company in 1948, after closing the pool hall. His brother Joe joined them upon his return from service in the U.S. military. When Ollie retired in 1979, he sold the business to his son, Rick.

Ollie was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, where he served as an usher, Bishop Busch Council 4863 Knights of Columbus and Catholic United Financial. He was a former member of the Sauk Centre Country Club, Sauk Centre Lions Club for 21 years and the Sauk Centre Area Chamber of Commerce.Ollie enjoyed morning coffee, reading the newspaper and shaking dice at the Palmer House or John's Place, going to the bakery with his son-in-law, Gary, playing cards with his card group, golfing, bowling, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. He especially enjoyed watching his sons and grandsons play ball and Twins and Vikings games. He loved to dance and play the harmonica. After retiring he enjoyed traveling on bus trips, putting puzzles together and visiting with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Teresa "Trix" Kleinschmidt of Sauk Centre; four children, Rick (Carol) Kleinschmidt, Roxann (Philip) Behnen and Renée (Gary) Leinonen, all of Sauk Centre, and Rob (Gloria) Kleinschmidt of Avon; four grandchildren, Ryan, Jamie and Kayla Kleinschmidt and Angela Flannigan; five great-grandchildren, Carter, Gemma, Blake, Brooke and Bella; brother and sisters, Rev. Sylvester Kleinschmidt, Ceal Zehrer, Millie Vener and Joe (Jeanette) Kleinschmidt, all of Sauk Centre, and Anna Mae Pfeninger of Villard; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Randy Kleinschmidt in 1963 and Ronnie Kleinschmidt in 1977; granddaughter, Isabella Kleinschmidt; sister, Betty Lou Kleinschmidt; brothers-in-law, Rich Vener, Conrad Zehrer and Robert Pfeninger; and many good friends.

Serving as casket bearers will be Rick, Rob, Ryan and Jamie Kleinschmidt, Gary Leinonen and Philip Behnen. Kayla Kleinschmidt will serve as cross bearer, Angela Flannigan will serve as scripture bearer and Larry Kleinschmidt will be the lector. Honorary bearers will be Dale Emmel, John Wiese, Jerry Muggli, Ollie Hoeschen, Duane Popelik, Vern Meyer, Harvey Carlson, Denny Zimmerman, Don Fritzlar, Herb Peters, Bob Wensman, Jodi Olson, Dave Meyer, Tom, Jim and Mike Pfeniger, Ned Kleinschmidt, Bob Zehrer, Wendy Smith, Kathy McKeowen, Judy Vener, Tim Soule, Linda Milton, Jeannie Bliss and Leao Erfle, Jr.