Chester “Chet” Klingfus

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Chester “Chet” Edward Klingfus, 83, died Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010 at the Faribault Commons Nursing Home in Faribault, Minn. 
He was born Aug. 24, 1926, in Austin, the son of Edward and Minnie (Brechtel) Klingfus. He received his education in St. John’s Lutheran Parochial School in Austin. On Jan. 21, 1966, he was united in marriage to Kay Lange in Preston, Minn. Chet was employed by the Geo A. Hormel Company for 39 years, starting at age 17 in 1943. Kay died on Aug. 26, 1996. 
Chet was an avid bowler and was very proud of his 300 game on June 22, 1965. He continued to bowl for many years, until his illness forced him to quit. He loved the Minnesota Twins, especially watching the games and was rarely seen without his Twins cap. He had a lifelong love of cars, Oldsmobiles, in particular. His first new car was a 1949 Buick and after his retirement from Hormel, Chet and Kay purchased and rebuilt a 1957 Oldsmobile. Chet and Kay took the car to many shows and parades all over Midwest, where they won several awards. Chet also worked with his brothers, on stock cars for many years. 
Chet was a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin. A special joy in his life were his grandchildren, Ben and Jackie.  He taught them to bowl when they were very young and Ben and he had a special “bowling connection.” With his granddaughter, Jackie, Chet had a “poker connection.” Everyday after school, he would be waiting for her and she would yell out “deal the cards, Grandpa.” His grandchildren were the love of his life. He loved them unconditionally.
Survivors include a daughter, Sherry Fisher of Austin; two grandchildren, Benjamin and Jacqueline Fisher; two brothers, Roger (Alyce) Klingfus of Waterloo, Iowa and David (Val) Klingfus of Austin; several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kay; six brothers and three sisters, Kenneth, Margaret, Robert, Delores McAllister, Donald, Dawane, Betty Prigge, Wilbur and James.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Thomas Ogilvie officiating. Interment will follow the service in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28 at the Worlein Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. 
Honorary casket bearers will be Benjamin Fisher and Randy McAllister. Casket bearers will be Jackie Fisher, Pete Hancock, Lori Klingfus, Roger Klingfus, Tim Klingfus and Scott Klingfuss. 
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.
Worlein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
        

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