Clifford J. Klein

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Cloud, for Clifford J. Klein, age 91, of St. Cloud. Cliff passed away on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at St. Benedict’s Senior Community in St. Cloud. Reverend Al Stangl will officiate. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery in St. Cloud

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Parish prayers will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Cliff was born on July 13, 1918 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Louis and Elizabeth (Barg) Klein. He was raised in St. Cloud and is in the Tech High School Hall of Fame for both football and basketball. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and married Virginia A. Wahl on September 16, 1940. He lived in St. Cloud the majority of his married life and was Auto body manager at Klein Olds for 40 years, retiring in 1980.

Cliff was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a former member of the American Legion.

He enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His hobbies included: woodworking, golf, fishing, hunting, and gardening.

He is survived by his children, Jeanne of Tucson, AZ, Judy (Richard) Berger of Motley, Tom (and special friend, Tammy) of St. Joseph, Mary (Sterling Vinson) Kierzek of Tucson, AZ, Victoria (Richard) Ferkinhoff of Waite Park, Virginia “Ginger” (Ray) Sauro of Columbia, Maryland, Margaret (Steve) Laudenbach of Coon Rapids; 18 grandchildren; and 26 great grandchildren.

Cliff was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia in 2002; four grandchildren, Joy, Allen, Paul, Brennan; one infant grandchild; brothers, Lawrence, Reynold and Donald; and sister, Lorraine Backes.

A Special Thank You to the staff at St. Benedict’s Senior Community for the loving care given to Cliff.