Fred Lester Klinker

Fred L. Klinker, age 90 of Little Falls, Minnesota, passed away Friday, June 29, 2012 in Little Falls. A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church in Randall, Minnesota with Father Jimmy Joseph officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 - 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 7 at St. James Catholic Church in Randall. Internment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Fred Lester Klinker was born May 4, 1922 in Pipestone County, Minnesota to the late Hans and Emma (Arp) Klinker. As an infant, Fred moved with his family to Fairfax, Minnesota, then to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and finally, to Randall, Minnesota in 1929. Fred attended school in District #30 in Parker Township, Morrison County, Minnesota. He was united in marriage to Margaret Wippler on September 4, 1944, at St. James Catholic Church in Randall. He served in the United States Army from April 15, 1946 and received an Honorable Discharge on April 17, 1947. While in the service, Fred received the WWII Victory Medal. Upon returning from the service, Fred and Margaret farmed in Parker Township until 1951. The couple then moved to California and then to Silver Bay, Minnesota in 1952 where Fred worked for Reserve Mining in construction, retiring in 1984. On July 4, 2007, Fred and Margaret moved to Little Falls where he resided until his death. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Silver Bay, Minnesota and a former member of St. James Catholic Church in Randall. Fred enjoyed fishing, hunting, card playing and traveling. Fred is survived by his wife, Margaret and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hans & Emma Klinker; brothers, Henry, Herman, Edward,Hans, Jr. and Harvey Klinker; sisters, Hilda Wendland, Minnie Riebel, Hazel Pierce and Esther Ogden.