Obituaries for Surnames Beginning With "K"
Aitkin County, Minnesota

Unless otherwise noted, these obituaries were contributed by
Karen Klennert
and are from the Aitkin Independant Age Newspaper.

CHARLES H. KLENNERT

Charles H. Klennert, 80, Swatara, died Monday, September 2, 1996 in Itasca Medical Center in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

He was born in Millville, Minnesota, and grew up and attended schools in Swatara. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. He married Irene E. Goodin on December 29, 1948 in Hill City, Minnesota. He was a farmer and logger in the Swatara area most of his life. He was a member of United Methodist Church in Hill City.

His parents were Caroline and Ernest Klennert. He is survived by his wife, Irene; a step-daughter, Patsy Catlett of Hill City; a step-son, William of Hill City; and a son, Larry of Swatara; a brother, Lawrence of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; six grandchildren; and a great- grandson.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids. Services were held at 11 a.m. Thursday in United Methodist Church in Hill City. Burial will be in Macville Cemetery, Macville Township, Minnesota.

Note: Although Patsy and William (Bill) were Charles step-children, they were raised as his children. Their mother, Irene, was previously married to Charles' brother, William, who is the father of the two children. William passed away before his son, William, was born.

Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: Family

WILLIAM JOSEPH KLENNERT

Funeral services were held at the Swatara Methodist Church in Swatara, Monday for William Joseph Klennert, who died at the Itasca Hospital Thursday, March 11, 1948. Rev. H. Paine of Hill City officiated and interment was in Macville Cemetery, south of Hill City, Minnesota. Music was provided by Mrs. George Bailey and Mrs. Herman Nelson, accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Rose Seymour.

Mr. Klennert was injured when he fell as he was plowing snow on his farm near Swatara.

Born at Millville, February 5, 1920, he came with his parents to Swatara in 1924. His marriage to Miss Irene Goodin took place in 1940. He served two years in the U.S. Army and spent a year stationed in Korea.

He is survived by his wife, Irene; a daughter, Patricia; his father, Ernest Klennert of Lake City; a sister, Mrs. Russell O'Brien (Florence); and, three brothers, Albert, Charles and Lawrence, all of Swatara.

Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: Family

ALBERT ERNEST KLENNERT

Funeral services for Albert E. Klennert, 56, of Kasota, Minnesota, former Swatara resident, will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday from the Swatara Methodist Church with Rev. Hohn White officiating. Interment will be in Macville Cemetery.

Mr. Klennert passed away suddenly at Toledo, Oregon while visiting relatives.

Arrangements are with the Sorensen-Root Funeral Home of Aitkin.

Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: Family

THELMA MARY (BAILEY) KLENNERT

Thelma M. Klennert, 82, of Jacobson, died February 12, 2000, at the Itasca Medical Center in Grand Rapids.

She was born April 1, 1917, in Shovel Lake to Samuel and Margaret (O'Brien) Bailey and grew up and attended school in the Shovel Lake area. She was a lifelong resident of the area, moving to Jacobson in 1980.

Services will be held Wednesday, February 16, at 11 a.m., at the Hill City Baptist Church with Rev. Lonnie Lee officiating. Burial will be in the Macville Cemetery Township.

She is survived by her daughters and son-in-law, Janet and Del Martinson, Coon Rapids; Alice Devlin, Moose Lake; sons and daughters-in-law, John and Deanna, Jacobson; Raymond and Karen, Swatara, eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret Graton, Remer; Ethel Kilde, Fergus Falls; brothers, Robert Bailey, St. George, Utah; and Thomas Bailey, Golden Valley.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Albert in 1970.

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home in Grand Rapids.

Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: Family

RICHARD KUSICK

Richard (Dick) Kusick Sr., 64, McGregor, died November 11, 2002, at the Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin.

He was born April 17, 1938, in Fairmont, the son of Harry and Lavina Kusick. He graduated from Fairmont High School. He was a United States Air Force Veteran. In June of 1960, he married Mary Leamy in Bloomington, Wisconsin. They lived in Fairmont where they owned and operated Kusick Moving and Storage. In March of 1976, they bought and operated Ole's Resort on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor. He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor and the American Legion.

Services were held November 15 at the Holy Family Catholic Church in McGregor with Far. John Fleischhacker officiating.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Richard Jr.; daughters and sons-in-law; Debbie Kusick and Tim Beber, Diane Kusick, Kelly and Tim Frisch and Susie and Brad Lindaman; and grandchildren, Molly, Will, and Gabriel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Lavina Kusick, and brother, Jim.

Arrangements were with the McGregor Funeral Home in McGregor.

DINAH KEMNITZ

Dinah Kemnitz, 51, McGregor, died October 13, 2002, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

She was born, April 21, 1951, in Cloquet, the daughter of Jack and Ellen (Saastamoien) Sanda. She graduated from McGregor High School. She married Vernon Kemnitz on July 19, 1969, in Brooklyn Center. She was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in McGregor.

Services were held October 17 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in McGregor with Rev. Henry Koopman officiating. Pallbearers were Kevin Weston, Brian Waddick, Keith Eld, Alfred Maki and Roy Hicks. Burial was in the Rice River Cemetery.

She is survived by her husband, Vernon; mother, Ellen (Saastamoien) Sanda, Grand Rapids; sisters and brothers-in-law; Rosemary and Kevin Weston, Grand Rapids, and Shirley and Alfred Maki, McGregor; special niece, Ashley Weston; special friend, Anita Williams-Hackensmith, Wrenshall; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Sanda; daughter, Jacqueline Devana, in 1981; sister, Loretta Olson; and brother, Donald Sanda.

Arrangements were with the McGregor Funeral Home in McGregor.

RAY KREINER

Ray Kreiner, 75, Aitkin, died January 11, 2003, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

He was born June 26, 1927, in Aitkin Township, the son of George and Stella (Norton) Kreiner. He attended Aitkin High School graduating in 1944. He married Marilyn Osborn on June 16, 1956 at the Aitkin Assembly of God Church. They farmed in the Cedarbrook area. He enjoyed his family, his farm and tinkering in his workshop. He was a longtime member of the Aitkin Assembly of God Church, the Deerwood Baptist Church and the Gideons.

Services were held January 15 at Aitkin's Westside Church in Aitkin with Rev. Donald Norman and Rev. Wayne Skog officiating. Burial was in the Spencer Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; sons and daughters-in-law; John and Brenda Kreiner, Phillips, Wisconsin; David and Nita Kreiner, White Bear Lake; and Stephen, Aitkin; daughters and son-in-law, Debra Kreiner, Pillips, Wisconsin, and Rebekah and Joe Brooks, San Diego, California; eight grandchildren; and sister and brother-in-law, Pearl and Art Jensen, Aitkin.

The family would prefer memorials to be made to the Gideons.

Arrangements were with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.

CLYDE KETCHAM

Clyde Elmer Eugene Ketcham, 85, of Ironton, formerly of Palisade, died Fri., Nov. 22, 2002 at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.

Services were held Nov. 26 at the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin, with Rev. Charles Carlson officiating. Elma Johnson was the organist and Tambrey Kullhem was the soloist. Burial was in the Pine Grove Cemetery near Palisade. Pallbearers were his grandchildren: Janet Travers, Tracy VanHandel, Deborah Logeland, Steven Carlson, Greg Carlson, Isaac Frantz and Nathaniel Frantz.

He was born June 18, 1917 in Sauk Rapids to Elmer and Ruby (Lease) Ketcham. He grew up and attended schools in Foley. He then moved with his parents to Palisade at the age of 16. He married Eleanor Kullhem on September 20, 1941 at Palisade. They lived in Plaisade and farmed. He also worked for Hanna Mining Co. for 25 years, retiring in 1979. They moved to Ironton in 1981 and have lived there since.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, Ironton; son, James Ketcham, Zimmerman; daughters and sons-in-law; Mary and Dick Carlson, Richfield; Theresa and Gary Bonneville, Bloomington; Bonnie and Alan Frantz, Pocatello, Idaho; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, George and Marion Ketcham, Goshen, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Dorothy and Laura.

Arrangements are with the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.

MALVINA KRONSTAD

Malvina Kronstad, 91, Menomonie, Wisconsin, formerly of Aitkin, died on her birthday October 9, 2003.

She married Ingolf Kronstad on June 10, 1936. She shared in and supported her husband's ministry and enjoyed leading Bible study groups.

A memorial service was held October 14 at Bethel Lutheran Church, South Long Lake, Brainerd.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Rev. Inglof B. and Rosie Kronstad, Kirkland, Washington; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Rev. Ronald Burke, Menomonie, Wisconsin; six grandchildren and on great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Rev. Ingolf Kronstad







Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: Grand Rapids Herald Review and Aitkin Independent Age

SHIRLEY KRUEGER

Shirley Krueger, 78, Aitkin, died Saturday, April 5, 2003 at the Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin.

She was born February 2, 1925 in St. Paul to Alfred and Dayna (Wierstad) Spray. She graduated from Monroe High School, St. Paul, in 1942. On August 31, 1946, in St. Paul, Shirley married Gordon (Ted) Krueger. She worked for Western Union in St. Paul and for a short time in California. They owned the Dixie Cabin Tavern in St. Paul prior to moving to Aitkin in 1964.

She is survived by one brother, DelRoy Spray, St. Paul; two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Spray, Stillwater, and Mary Kay Spray, Poulsbo, Washington; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; two brothers, Gordon and Roger, and her parents.

At Shirley's request there will be no formal service. A graveside service will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, at a later date.

Arrangements are by Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.

Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: Grand Rapids Herald Review and Aitkin Independent Age


































MARY KELLY

Mrs. Mary Kelly, 77, died early this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Joe Wise, 710 South Seventh Street. Mrs. Kelly was born April 5, 1866, in Ft. Recovry, Ohio. She had resided in Brainerd since June 1942, when she came here from Perham where she had lived most of her life.

Her husband preceded her in death in 1933.

Surviving are three sons, Corp. George J. Kelly of the U. S. Army, Joe Kelly of Ontario, Calif., and Frank Kelly of Flint, Mich.; two daughters, Mrs. Cecilia Carlson of Des Moines, Ia., and Mrs Joe Wise of Brainerd; two sisters, Mrs Frank J. Wise of Brainerd and Mrs. Fred Vogel of Tacoma, Wash.; one brother, Leo Foltz of Perham. Funeral services will be held at the St. Francis church and interment will be in the Evergreen cemetery. The time of the services will be announced later.

The body will lie in state at the Hoenig chapel.

Source: The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, Brainerd, Minnesota, April 29. 1943

Contributed by Kelly who writes: "My great-grandmother, Mary, lived in Aitkin from 1907-1912. She died at the home of her daughter Francis Rose Wise of Brainerd."

JOHN F. KELLY

John F. Kelly, 80, 729 West First street, died at a Duluth hospital. He had been a resident of Duluth about 15 years. The body will be taken to Brainerd, where survivors reside, for burial.

Source: Duluth-Tribune, January 2, 1934

Contributed by Kelly who writes: "My great-grandfather, John, graduated from the Aitkin School District. He is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery at 1105 NE 3rd Avenue, Brainerd, Minnesota 56401. Block 32 Lot 11. He is buried next to his wife Mary Kelly. The Kelly family lived in Rush Lake Minnesota from 1890-1907. In 1907 the family moved to Aitkin Minnesota."




Contributed by Karen Klennert
Source: McGregor Voyageur and Aitkin Independent Age







Garnet "Jimmie" Kast


Garnet "Jimmie" Kast, 98, Aitkin, died April 5, 2004, at the Aicota Nursing Home in Aitkin.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin. A complete obituary will appear in next week's paper.








Lissencephaly is a malformation of the brain in which the brain surface is smooth rather than convoluted. The name comes from the Greek words 'lissos' which means smooth and 'enkephalos' which means brain. All children with lissencephaly have severe mental retardation and poor control of movement similar to children with cerebral palsy. Still, some do make limited developmental progress. Other common problems include poor feeding, frequent seizures and repeated episodes of pneumonia.













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