Christ F. Klein
Christ Klein, age 85, of Carrington, ND, died Sunday, January 29, 2012, at Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, ND. Christian “Christ� Klein was born on May 1, 1926, the son of Frank and Christina (Ripplinger) Klein at Balta, ND. Christ was raised on a farm near Orrin, ND and attended school in Sylva, ND, until the 8th grade. Continuing to farm with his father until 1945, Christ was inducted into the US Navy and served in the conclusion of WWII aboard the USS Gasconade and USS Ajax. In 1946, Seaman Second Class Christian F. Klein was Honorably Discharged from the U. S. Naval Training Center at San Diego to return home to assist farming with his father, whom was ill at the time. While working on his father’s farm with his younger brothers, Christ attended many of the small community dances around Balta and Selz, ND, and soon had a chance meeting with a mischievous, bright and beautiful young lady, Elizabeth “Betty� Richter. After a year of courtship, they were united in marriage that would last 49 years, and 12 children. Enjoying a short honeymoon, traveling 4 states to show Betty his naval adventure in San Diego, Christ returned home with his new bride and continued to farm in Orrin. In 1956, now having started a family of five children, Christ and Betty moved their young growing family to a farm by Brantford, ND. Many productive farming and ranching years later, their family would grow to become 11 children. Christ, always the opportunist and organizer of keeping his family and affairs busy and productive soon expanded his farming activities to include a motel and restaurant business, the Chieftain Motor Lodge in Carrington, ND. In 1981, Christ sold his Brantford area farm operation and moved to Carrington, continuing to farm part-time, growing trees, collecting cars, traveling and enjoying polka dances throughout the mid-west. On February 11th, 1997, while enjoying their winter home in Florida, the love of his life, Betty died one year short of their 50th anniversary. Christ remarried in October 1998, to Ann Striefel (Leismester) in Harvey, ND, and continued to spend his winters in Florida, enjoying his remaining years traveling and dancing. Christ, while always known for raising quality cattle, was instrumental in developing the Tarentaise breed, registering and promoting them all over the US. He served on the American Tarentaise (ATA) board of directors and for his efforts, he was inducted into the ATA Hall of Fame. Christ was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. Christ is survived by his second wife, Ann of Harvey; 11 children, Gary (Connie) Klein, Fargo, ND, Carla (Dennis) Hagel, Carrington, Dale (Mary) Klein, Fargo, Mark (Deb) Klein, Fargo, Christy (Paul) Reimer, Carrington, Charmain (Steve) Romanoski, Sheboygan Falls, WI, Carol (Mike) Birkeland, Chandler, AZ, Frank (Lorie) Klein, Carrington, Colleen (Orin) Gedrose, Dallas, TX, Brian (Melody) Klein, Eagan, MN, and Darren (Dawn) Klein, Bennington, NE; 28 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 5 sisters, Beatrice Schall, Fargo, Lorraine Schaefer, Rapid City, SD, Delores Carlo, Seattle, WA, Arlene Schmaltz, Rugby, ND, and Kathy Schwinghammer, Ely, MN; and Ann’s children. He was preceded in death by his 1st wife, Betty; parents; a sister, Eleanor Schall; four brothers, Leo, Henry, Harold, and Jerry; a son, Kallen; a grandson, Neil; a great-granddaughter, Taylor; and one step-daughter, Rita.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Carrington, ND DATE AND TIME: Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:30 AM BURIAL: Carrington Cemetery, Carrington, ND |
Posted Condolences:
Name: Melissa Wick
Date: 6/6/13
Message: As I was doing a little "light reading" this morning. I see that the Evan's funeral home has been taking care of many friends, neighbors, etc. in the recent months. And finding your dad's obituary was a surprise to me. Please accept my belated condolences. I'm sure your dad is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on in his many children, grands, etc. Melissa Wick
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Name: Andrea Arendt, PBVM
Date: 2/3/12
Message: Dear Gary and family,
My sympathy to you and the families. You will be in my prayers as you celebrate your Dad, husband, grandfather's entrance into a New Life that no one can take from him.
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Name: Mike
Date: Voglewede
Message: WE were saddened to hear of your loss. Our hearts and prayers are with you in this time. We will have many terrific memories.
Love
Mike and Ginger Voglewede
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Name: Wayne Thompson
Date: 2/2/12
Message: To the all Klein children; I am sorry to hear about your Father passing away! Mark, Christy, Charmain, Carol: Can we possibly be getting that old ourselves that our parents are passing away of old age? While checking in on Jack McDowell's funeral I noticed your fathers passing; my condolences. We all should be thankful for the long lives we've had with our parents; losing them to a long wonderful life; I hope we can be comforted with great memories. Prayers and good thoughts to you and your families. Wayne Thompson
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Name: Carol Clancy (Longnecker)
Date: Feb. 2, 2012
Message: Our most sincere sympathy to all of the Klein family. I remember when Chris and Betty moved to the Brantford area and Gary and Carlotta started school in the red brick schoolhouse! You were all fun loving and a great addition to our rural neighborhood. We know you have many wonderful memories to help you through this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Carol and Jerry Clancy
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Name: Verna Kautzman
Date: 2-2-12
Message: My deepest sympathy to your family.it's always hard to lose a parent,but you have lots of dear memories to share with each other.It's been great having your family as neighbors during my growing up years in Brantford , and later working in the chiefton for your parents and Frank and Dale. Lots of good memories there too. May God bless your family throug the days ahead.
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Name: Faith Trudeau
Date: 2-1-2012
Message: Dear Family of Christ Klein:
My heart aches with all of you at the loss of Christ.:-) I will treasure the memories of growing up with your dad in my life.
Love, prayers & hugs family friend 4ever
Faith
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Name: Pam and Dave Aadnes
Date: 2-1-12
Message: Our most sincere sympathy in the loss of your dad and grandpa.
Cherish your memories and the strong family values and connections. You are in our thoughts as you gather to celebrate Christ's life and legacy. Love Pam and Dave
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Name: Barb Seiler
Date: 2/1/2012
Message: Christy - I am sad to hear of your father's passing. You and your family are in my thoughts.
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Name: Chris & Viola Leier
Date: Feb.1
Message: Chris was a second cousin of the Leiers, may you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers in this trying time.
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Name: Ron & Karen Theis
Date: 2-1-2012
Message: WE are sorry to here of your loss. Chris,Betty and all of you will always be in our memories and prayers Ron & Karen Theis
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Name: Conni Dungan-Fugleberg
Date: 2-12012
Message: My sincerest sympathy to all of you.
I know the pain you are feeling right now.
Conni Dungan
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Name: Allen Held Family
Date: 02/01/2012
Message: Our deepest sympathy to all of you at this time...the Allen Held family
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Name: Tony & Alvera Leier
Date: Feb. 01, 2012
Message: Ann & Family,
Please accept our condolences in the loss of Christ.
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Name: Maureen Walker, PBVM
Date: 2-1-12
Message: Dear family of Christ Klein.
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the death of Christ and celebrate his life. May each of you be filled with peace and consolation remembering that he is experiencing peace and joy in the arms of our Loving God.
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Name: Melissa Aadnes-Klein
Date: 2/1/12
Message: Frank, Lorie, Katie & family-
So sorry to hear about your loss!
I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Melissa (Aadnes) Klein
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Name: Larry Rittgarn
Date: February 1, 2012
Message: Christ and Betty were such great fun on cargill company trips. Mr blessings and prayers to the family.
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Name: kathy Lautt jacobson
Date: 1 31 2012
Message: Sincerest Sympathy to your family in the loss of your Dad. Christ was a very dear friend of ours. My late husband Arnold Lautt and I cared for some of his Tarentaise cows on a share basis at our farm near Fredonia N Dak in the late 1980s He was a wonderful man My children and I sent our sincerest condolences to your family.