John Laverne Klocke, born August 18, 1927 in New Rockford, ND, died at the Carrington Health Center on January 2, 2012.
John was the oldest son of Frank Klocke and Blanche (Sullivan) Noack. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Catholic Church in New Rockford. John attended the Superior Township country school and the St. James Academy in New Rockford. He joined the Army Air Corp during WWII, serving in the Pacific Theater. John was awarded a WWII Victory Medal and an Occupation Ribbon for defeated Japan. John received an honorable discharge for his military service on September 21, 1947.
After the war John returned to the states and worked for a short time in Washington for Boeing Aircraft. John returned home and married his bride of 63 years, Arlene Phyllis Bergrud on October 21, 1948. He farmed for a few years in the New Rockford area and in the mid 1950’s, John went to work in the construction industry, first as a blade operator for Wells County, then for approximately 10 years, a heavy equipment operator/mechanic for Northern Improvement Co. in Fargo and as a gravel pit Foreman/lead mechanic and equipment operator for Weber Construction in New Rockford for 20+ years.
John retired shortly thereafter and loved taking care of his farm west of New Rockford. He was an excellent mechanic, loved to garden and was a great cook. Most of all, he was a wonderful husband who spent his last years taking excellent care of his beautiful wife Arlene that he just lost on November 14, 2011.
John will be remembered as a loving Father for all his children and they were all at his side when he passed away. John and Arlene are together again after being separated for only a short seven weeks. They are both together now in the arms of the angels!
John is survived by 7 children, Sharon (Walter “Butch”) Lesmeister, New Rockford, Shirley Gross, Carrington, ND, Jerome (Vida) Klocke, Underwood, ND, Jeffrey (Julie) Klocke, Coleharbor, ND, Colleen “Gabbie” (Roger) Benson, Sheyenne, ND, Kenny Klocke, Rozet, WY, Merle (Kelly) Klocke, Silverthorne, CO; 12 grandchildren; Rob Miller, Melanie Martin, Tara Baker, Jesse & Melissa Klocke, Shawn, Billy & Darin Klocke, Travis, Dusty & Chelsey Benson, Secia Klocke; 10 great-grandchildren; Brooklynn & Zachary Miller, Cody & Tyler Martin, Braeden & Ryan Baker, Ashlynn, Rylee, & Aaden Benson, Kasen Klocke, his sister, Mary Ellen Jensen, his brother, Leroy Klocke, and his sister-in-law, Betty Klocke.
John was preceded in death by his wife Arlene P. Klocke, an infant son “Little Laverne”, his parents, brother Roger “Micky” Klocke and son-in-law Danny Gross.
Instead of floral tributes, the family suggests memorials be sent to Community Ambulance Service, Box 246, New Rockford, or to Raymond B. Thorn American Legion Post #30, 824 Central Ave, New Rockford, ND, 58356
FUNERAL SERVICES: St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, ND
DATE AND TIME: Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 10:30 AM
INTERMENT: St. John's Catholic Cemetery, New Rockford, ND |