Sylvester Klaphake

Sylvester F. "Vessie" Klaphake, age 83 of Meire Grove, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, March 14 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. St. Joseph's Men's Society will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

Sylvester Fred Klaphake was born on November 25, 1932 in St. Martin Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to William and Lydia (Derichs) Klaphake. Sylvester attended country school near St. Martin. He worked on the family farm and after he left there he worked on a farm near Spring Hill for the Terres family. Sylvester was united in marriage to Marcelline "Marcy" Zenzen on July 28, 1964 at Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Elrosa. The couple lived near Sauk Centre where Sylvester raised turkeys on Stewart Bridge Turkey Farm for 35 years. They then moved to Meire Grove in 2004 after Sylvester's retirement.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove, St. Joseph's Men's Society, Elrosa Senior Citizens, and the Rosary Society. Sylvester enjoyed his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson. He also loved playing cards, going to the casino, going on trips, and watching TV, with his favorite shows being Hee Haw and Wheel of Fortune.

Survivors include his wife, Marcy Klaphake of Meire Grove; children, Jeffrey (Tammy) Klaphake of Melrose, Duane "Dewey" (Lisa) Klaphake of Albany, and Jayme (Amy) Klaphake of Meire Grove; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson; brothers and sisters, John (Vera Lou) Klaphake of Albany, Dolores Rohe of Richmond, Hildegard (Othmar) Rohe of Kimball, Florence Jaeger of Roseville, Richard (Linda) Klaphake of Albany, Gerald (Anna) Klaphake of St. Martin, Carol Klehr of St. Martin, Leroy (Betty) Klaphake of Albany, and Robert (Grace) Klaphake of Albany.

Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Gregory Klaphake.

Serving as casket bearers will be Vessie's grandsons, Ryan Klaphake, Jaron Klaphake, Tyler Klaphake, Tanner Klaphake, Jordan Klaphake, and Garrett Huhne. Cross bearer will be Madison Klaphake and scripture bearer will be Cassandra Klaphake. Mass participants will be Mindy Klaphake, Brooke Klaphake, Hailey Klaphake, and Micaela Huhne. Honorary bearers will be the St. Joseph's Men's Society.