Our love and support to Sara, Charlie, Vicki and all of Tom’s family. We have wonderful memories of the Apollo High School Days when our girls shared learning, activities and great times with Sara and Charlie. We enjoyed our time with Sharon and Tom in the bleachers at basketball games, fundraisers and graduation at a great school that prepared our kids for success as parents and community supporters. Our thanks to Tom and Sharon for always making our kids feel a part of their family.
Thomas J. Klein
June 17, 1947 – August 17, 2014
Thomas Joseph Klein, born in St. Cloud, MN, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 17th, 2014. A gathering of family and friends in celebration of his life will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2014 at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery in St. Cloud, MN.
Tom was born to Clifford and Virginia (Wahl) Klein in 1947. He attended Cathedral HS and St. Cloud State University, served two years in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1971. He married Sharon Rohling in 1968, had two children, and later divorced. In 1997, he met his lifelong companion and love, Tammy Erickson.
He mastered many arts and pursued many endeavors: hand-crafting fine furniture, home building, gardening and orchard cultivation, fishing, sailing, piloting, stained-glass, cooking, and his primary occupation as a mechanical engineer and estimator. He shared his gifts openly with friends, family, and all visitors to his gardens. He deeply loved and enjoyed spending time with his 5 grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving companion of 17 years Tammy Erickson, daughter Sara Riesgraf and her husband Jason of St. Michael, MN, son Charlie and his wife Allison of Cross Plains, WI; 6 sisters, Jeanne Klein Thompson of Tucson, AZ, Judy (Richard) Berger of Sauk Rapids, Mary (Sterling Vinson) Kierzek of Tucson, AZ, Victoria (Richard) Ferkinhoff of Waite Park, Virginia ‘Ginger’ (Ray) Sauro of Columbia, MD, Margaret (Steve) Laudenbach of Coon Rapids, MN, and 5 grandchildren (Connor, Anya, & Lily Riesgraf, and Colton & Marlin Klein).
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Virginia Klein, and infant son.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
Guestbook
Tom and I have been close friends for 60 years and have shared every adventure and misadventure you can imagine. I will miss him tremendously and remember him always. My sincere condolences go out to Tammy, Charlie, Sarah, and all of Tom’s family.
I’m going to miss my Uncle Tom. He was hands-down one of the most talented men I’ve ever known. And while he experienced ups and downs in life, he seemed most happy expressing himself through his hands. He had god-given talents that were admired by all. Everyone who’s ever known Tom marveled at his skill and craftsmanship in cabinetry, sailing, cooking/gardening, and home building. We’ll all miss him.
So sorry for your loss. Keeping all of you in our prayers. We will miss Tom’s enthusiasm for life and everything he did.