Ruth Klimmek

Memorial Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, June 25, at the United Church of Christ in Gaylord with Reverend Dennis McKee officiating. Interment will be in the Gaylord City Cemetery.

Gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday, June 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Thursday, June 25, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Gaylord.

Ruth Lenora (Lemke) Klimmek was born on February 11, 1916, in Cologne. She was the daughter of William and Selma (Bipes) Lemke. Ruth was baptized and later confirmed at the Cologne Methodist Church. She went to country school near Cologne and graduated from Central High School in Norwood Young America. Ruth furthered her education at a Beauty School and Business College in the Twin Cities.

On April 20, 1941, Ruth was united in marriage to Harvey Klimmek in the Cologne Methodist Church. After their marriage, the couple lived a few years in the Twin Cities and Long Prairie before settling in Gaylord, where they owned and operated a grocery store, a farm implement business and gas station, in addition to the family farm. Ruth was a loving mother and homemaker. She and Harvey were blessed with three sons. They shared 32 years of marriage before Harvey passed away on October 28, 1973.

Ruth was a 66-year member of the United Church of Christ in Gaylord. She was a long-time Sunday School teacher, member of the Priscilla Circle, Prayer Chain, and on the Memorial Board. For many years she was a member of the Gaylord Hospital Auxiliary.

Ruth enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, and making doll clothes and crafts for the Gaylord Hospital Bazaar. She especially loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Ruth enjoyed life in her home until March of this year, when she moved to the Oak Terrace Health Care Center where she lived out her final days. Blessed be her memory.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Richard Klimmek and his wife, Barbara of New Richland, Charles Klimmek and his wife, Pauline Marlinski of Gaylord, and Gary Klimmek and his wife, Marion of New Ulm; grandchildren, Kevin (Beth) Klimmek, Harley (Amy) Klimmek, Kristin Klimmek, Michael (Lana) Klimmek, Catherine (Jesse) Miller, Emily Klimmek and fianc, Alec Schwartz, and Marissa Klimmek; great-grandchildren, Jozie and Blake Klimmek; sister, Eunice Burton of Santa Ana, CA; sister-in-law, Lois Boll of Mahtomedi; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, William and Selma Lemke; husband, Harvey Klimmek; three sisters and four brothers.

Arrangements by Egesdal Funeral Home in Gaylord, Minnesota. Online obituaries and guest book available at www.hantge.com. Please click on obituaries and guest book.