Clara Klooz

Clara Bernice Klooz, 85, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully early Wednesday morning, March 27, 2013, at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, with many of her loving family at her bedside. Clara was born on her parent's farm in Crookston Township on September 22, 1927. She was one of six children of the union of Henrich "Henry" Wilhelm Meine and Christine Laura Bertha (Abrahamson) Meine. Clara grew up on the family farm, and was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. She attended the North Star country school and would help milk the cows every morning before school, "by hand, no machines." On October 1, 1945 Clara was united in marriage to Edward Saslie Klooz at the Trinity Lutheran Church. Together, Clara and Edward raised four children, while sadly losing an infant son and two infant daughters. The couple first settled in Crookston and Clara was employed at St. Vincent's Hospital. The growing family later moved to Bygland, MN, where Edward worked on the Hans Skyberg farm. Next was a move to Climax, MN to work on the Quirk farm. While there, Clara helped out with the potato harvest and was also employed at Jiffy Fry in Crookston. In 1968 Clara, Edward and their family moved back to Crookston. Edward passed away on April 22, 2011. For over twenty years, until January of 2012, Clara delivered the Grand Forks Herald locally. Her eight routes covered most of the east end of Crookston, and at one time or another she enlisted the help of almost all of her grandchildren in this endeavor.

Clara was a woman of deep and abiding faith. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and if unable to attend a Sunday service, would most certainly be watching Trinity's cable telecast along with other religious broadcasts. She also held a longtime membership in the Eagles Auxiliary. Clara enjoyed her daily rituals, which included coffee every morning with her sister, Gladys Opperud, and visits with her sister-in-law, Carol Meine. Her favorite pastimes centered around listening to gospel music, especially the old-time hymns, mixed in with a bit of country and western. Until her eyesight began to fail, Clara enjoyed putting puzzles together, and she took great pride in her flower gardens, while looking forward to tending her tomato plants throughout the growing season. Everything in life for Clara always came back to her faith and love for her family. The kids and their families were her treasure, and memories of her will be in their hearts forever. Clara leaves her children: Dale Klooz and his wife, Sue, of St. Paul, MN, Carol Heinle of Crookston, MN, Janice Szczech of Fisher, MN, David Szczech of Crookston, and Sandy Klooz of East Grand Forks, MN; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Gladys Opperud; 2 sisters-in-law, Carol Meine of Crookston and Nancy Meine of Hampton, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of friends. In addition to Edward, her beloved husband of 65 years, Clara was preceded in death by her 3 infant children: Craig Allen, Judy Bernice, and Sandra Lee; 5 grandsons: Christopher and Joshua Klooz, Chucky and Joey Szczech, and Louie Heinle; her parents, Henry and Christine Meine; a sister, Helen Swift and her husband, Cecil; 3 brothers and a sister-in-law: Duane Meine, Willard Meine, and Elsworth and Carol Meine; and a brother-in-law, Raymond Opperud. May God richly bless Clara's memory. Clara's funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Jo Gast, officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Monday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and also at the church for one prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston.











Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Monday, April 1, 2013
Service
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
cemetery
Tuesday, April 2, 2013