Gideon Klein
Saturday, April 18, 1925
Date of Death:
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Age:
98 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday August 03, 2023
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday August 04, 2023
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Celebration of Life Mass
Date: Friday August 04, 2023
Time: 11:00 am
Location: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Saturday, April 18, 1925
Date of Death:
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Age:
98 years old
Saturday, April 18, 1925
Date of Death:
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
Age:
98 years old
Gideon Klein
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held for Gideon Klein at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, August 4th, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with Rev. James Berning officiating. One hour prior to the service a wake will be held at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3rd, 2023, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home.
Gideon Klein was born April 18, 1925, in Aberdeen, South Dakota and passed peacefully in his home on July 18, 2023, at the age of 98. Born and raised on the family farm, he graduated from Leola High School, Leola, South Dakota. Following High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, during which he competed as a gold gloves boxer. He served until honorably discharged on July 3, 1946. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
On June 27, 1953, he married Lorraine Bena and they lived in Fargo, ND where he was the manager of a local television station. Gideon and Lori also lived in Alexandria, Minnesota and Waterloo, Iowa before settling in Rochester in 1961. After working in television and radio sales and management, he and Lori worked together to pursue their life’s dream of starting and running their own business. In 1974, they opened the retail store Klein’s Luggage and Leather, a family business they ran together until 1991, when both retired.
Gideon was preceded in death by his wife, Lori, who passed in 2013. He is survived by three sons, Gary (Candy) and Bill (Jeanne) of Rochester, MN, Joseph (Holly) of Minnetonka, MN, daughters Mary Kay (Dave) Utzinger of Sun City West, AZ and Carol (Mike) Lane of Minneapolis, MN. Gideon was also survived by nine Grandchildren and eight Great-Grandchildren. He has one surviving brother Harold (Karen) in Aberdeen, SD. He was also preceded in death by his parents, John and Rosina Klein, and ten siblings.
Gideon was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. He was a dedicated vegetable gardener and was proud of the ingenious methods he devised through the years to thwart rabbits and squirrels. He loved watching his grandchildren play sports and would beam when surrounded by his great grandchildren.
Memorials are suggested to St. Francis Catholic Church.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Gideon Klein has received the following condolences.
Bill and Gary,
What a beautiful summary of a long life well lived!
Bill, it was a treat during our time together to get a glimpse of your relationship with him. It was clear to me that up to the very end he was never going to stop raising his boys!
Blessings to you and your family at this time of loss.
Chris Mans
To Bill, Gary and the entire Klein family, my sincerest sympathies on the passing of your father. May God comfort you and give you strength.
Enjoyed being neighbors and fellow students of Gid and Lori’s kids at John Marshall. I bought my first set of luggage from high school graduation money and off I went into the world. Always fun seeing any of the Klein’s on visits back to my home town of Rochester. And Lori was my confirmation sponsor so I carry her name as a second middle name! Such an honor! Many blessings to the family!
Jill Nadine Lorraine Tieman
Asheville, NC
Dear Klein Neighbors,
We are saddened by your Dad’s passing. We always enjoyed our visits with both Gid and Lori as treasured neighbors on East River Road. Even after we moved, it was great to receive his annual Christmas card and catch up on his news. As descendants of the German Russians who emigrated to the Dakotas, this was a special connection for he and Duane. He was justified in being so proud of his entire family.
Our Sincerest Sympathies,
Duane and Linda Reuer,
Scottsdale, AZ
Bill,
We are so sorry for your loss. Condolences from your friends and family at KAAL/ABC 6 News.
Dear Bill and Jeannie and family, We are greatly saddened by the loss of your father Gid. It was always a pleasure to have a conversation with him after Mass. We have missed him and will miss him. We know that prayers really don't change your loss but it shows that we care. Your friends in Christ. Herman and Marilyn Yates
It goes that without saying that your family is very much loved ad cherished. Our families have known each other over 60 years and have been neighbors in 2 neighborhoods! So many fond memories of all of you. Even in these last years when I would stop by and see your dad he had such a positivity and great smile! My first luggage purchase in HS (on my way to becoming an exchange student) was from your dads shop downtown across from the Chateau Theatre! I remember that day clearly and many other encounters that seem like just yesterday! It is always a great pleasure to enjoy time with a Klein?
Joe and Mary Kate and family,
Holding you close in prayer as you grieve the loss if your dear Dad and celebrate his long life. What a kindly face he had and I can see the resemblance. ?
Gid was one of a kind.
Too many stories and memories going back to the days on 7th Street NE.
Condolences and heartfelt prayers to the family.