Richard Klasen

Richard L. Klasen, age 77, died from various medical issues on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at his home in Melrose with his family at his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 31 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating and Deacon Ernie Kociemba and Deacon Stephen Arnold assisting. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Military honors will be by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be at 5 p.m. followed by the Melrose Fire Department at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

On May 23, 1934 Richard Klasen was born the son of Ben and Theresa (Engelmeyer) Klasen of St. Rosa. He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. On February 11, 1961 he married Alice Finken in Freeport. After their marriage, the couple lived in Melrose. After the service, Richard was employed by Melrose Motor until 1963 when he was hired by the city of Melrose. Over the 31 years with the city of Melrose he held many different positions. For 22 years he was a member of the Melrose Volunteer Fire Department; two of the years he was an EMT and on the Melrose Ambulance Corp. After his retirement, he stayed on as a dispatcher for the city. In 2010 he celebrated his 25th year of sobriety. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, and spending time at the lake with family and friends.

Richard was a member of St Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Alice Klasen of Melrose; children, Sandra (Lloyd) Zierden of New Munich, Renee (John) Blonigen of Melrose, Joyce (James) Terwey of Melrose, Lyle (Peggy) Klasen of Albany, Pamela (Kevin) Funk of St Joseph, and Kurt (Angie) Klasen of Meire Grove; 16 grandchildren; sisters and brother, Irene Kerfeld of Elk River, John (Margie) Klasen of Sauk Centre, Lorraine (Ray) Wenker of Melrose, Millie (Virgil) Beuning of Key Stone Heights, FL, and Janet (Marvin) Notch of Melrose.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Theresa Klasen; and brother in-law, Norb Kerfeld.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jeff Zierden, Jen Zierden, Andy Zierden, Matt Blonigen, Luke Blonigen, and Alisha LeClaire. Cross bearer will be Megan Stroeing, scripture bearer will be Shannon LeClaire, and remembrance bearers will be Nicholas LeClaire and Eric LeClaire. Gift bearers will be Kim Anderson, Julie Voit, and Stacy Butkowski. Bell ringers will be Brandon Funk, Justin Funk, Ryan Stroeing, Erika Westermeyer, Jamie Klasen, and Krista Klasen. Honorary bearers will be the Melrose Volunteer Fireman (current and retired) and their wives, Richard's fishing friends and their wives, and his friends at Eagle's Crossing.