June 17, 1947 - August 17, 2014

 

Tom Klein
loading...

Thomas Joseph Klein, born in St. Cloud, MN, died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Sunday, August 17th, 2014. A private memorial celebration of his life will be held in September. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in St. Cloud, MN.

Tom was born to Clifford and Virginia (Wahl) Klein in 1947. He attended Cathedral HS and St. Cloud State University, served two years in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1971. He married Sharon Rohling in 1968, had two children, and later divorced. In 1997, he met his lifelong companion and love, Tammy Erickson.

He mastered many arts and pursued many endeavors: hand-crafting fine furniture, home building, gardening and orchard cultivation, fishing, sailing, piloting, stained-glass, cooking, and his primary occupation as a mechanical engineer and estimator. He shared his gifts openly with friends, family, and all visitors to his gardens. He deeply loved and enjoyed spending time with his 5 grandchildren.

Survivors include his loving companion of 17 years Tammy Erickson, daughter Sara Riesgraf and her husband Jason of St. Michael, MN, son Charlie and his wife Allison of Cross Plains, WI; 6 sisters, Jeanne Klein Thompson of Tucson, AZ, Judy (Richard) Berger of Sauk Rapids, Mary (Sterling Vinson) Kierzek of Tucson, AZ, Victoria (Richard) Ferkinhoff of Waite Park, Virginia ‘Ginger’ (Ray) Sauro of Columbia, MD, Margaret (Steve) Laudenbach of Coon Rapids, MN, and 5 grandchildren (Connor, Anya, & Lily Riesgraf, and Colton & Marlin Klein).

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Virginia Klein, and infant son.

 

More From AM 1240 WJON