Clarence "Fritz" Klinkhammer

Our beloved father, Clarence “Fritz” Klinkhammer passed away peacefully on November 9, 2024, 16 days short of his 103rd birthday, at his home after a brief time of declining health. He was blessed with health and vigor for all but the last few months of his life. Dad was born in Mahnomen County, MN to Jerry and Laura, the second of eleven children. 

Dad served his country as a radio operator aboard a ship in the Merchant Marines near the end of WWII. He made two trips to Europe and fondly recounted his memories of his time in the service. 

He met the love of his life, Joyce, at the Flowing Well Tavern. He saw her standing with a group of girls next to the orchestra and asked her to dance. She turned him down the first time he asked her out but told him to ask her out the next week. The rest is history. They married on February 5, 1951. From that union came three children, Mike, Lorrie and Julie, three precious granddaughters, Megan, Tara and Jena and a great-granddaughter.

Fritz and Joyce lived in northwest Minnesota surrounded by a large extended family until 1968 when dad’s job took them to Ronan, MT. Dad worked hard to support his family holding down multiple jobs in Minnesota. In Montana, he taught heavy equipment operations and carpentry at the local Job Corps. He later moved into Forestry, working primarily as a timber scaler for most of his remaining work years. He had a reputation for being the best timber scaler west of the Mississippi. 

Fritz and Joyce moved to Missoula in 1991 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Dad loved the Lord and was active in church activities. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus [KC] since 1944 and served as Financial Secretary for the Mahnomen KC’s for many years. He also served in the Diocese of Helena Healing Ministry. He volunteered at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula. 

He was a man of many talents. He and mom were an amazing dance team and could dance to anything including ballroom, square and round dancing. They were the couple you would see glide around the dance floor. Dad loved to dance the polka and was still offering to teach others to polka when he was 102. He was an excellent bowler with a high game of 298 when he bowled nine consecutive strikes! He was an avid cribbage player and enjoyed golfing. Dad was also the Fabulous Mr. Fix It. He could fix anything! 

Family was most important to dad, and he strove to be a good husband, provider, parent, grandpa and father-in-law. A rarity these days, he treated others the way he wanted to be treated and passed those values on to his children. He lived a quiet but great life, devoted to God and family. We are blessed to have been part of his life.

Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Joyce, his parents, brothers Alphonse, Joseph, Gerald and Donald, sisters, Viola, Marie, and Lenore, several brother- and sister-in laws and five nephews and nieces. He is survived by his loving children Mike (fiancée Tomi), Lorrie (Randy) and Julie (Charlie), grandchildren and great-granddaughter, his sisters Lucille and Cecilia, his brother Ray and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be from 7:00 – 7:30 pm on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, followed by a Rosary at Garden City Funeral Home. Dad’s life will be celebrated with a funeral Mass on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 10:30 am at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church with Father Paul Cochran presiding. Immediately after the funeral, there will be a reception in Reidy Hall and burial will follow at the new St. Mary’s Cemetery at 2 pm. For those who are unable to attend in person, both the Rosary and funeral Mass will be live-streamed. 

In lieu of flowers, Dad requested that Masses be said for him. Rest in Peace dad! We love you!