CARRINGTON — Christ Klein, 85, Carrington, died Jan. 29, 2012, at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Carrington. Interment will be at Carrington Cemetery.
Christian "Christ" Klein was born May 1, 1926, the son of Frank and Christina (Ripplinger) Klein at Balta. Christ was raised on a farm near Orrin. He attended school in Sylva until the eighth grade. Christ continued to farm with his father until he was inducted into the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II from 1945-46 on the naval vessels USS Gasconade and USS Ajax.
Christ was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Richter on June 7, 1948, at Selz. They first lived and farmed in Orrin. In 1957, they moved to their principal farm by Brantford. They farmed and ranched several hundred head of cattle. Christ was instrumental in developing the Tarentaise breed of cattle and promoting them all over the U.S. He served on the American Tarentaise Association (ATA) board of directors and for his efforts he was inducted into the ATA Hall of Fame. Christ and Betty purchased the Chieftain Motor Lodge in Carrington in 1974. During all of this time, they raised 11 children who helped and were integrated into the businesses of farming, ranching and motel/restaurant. In 1993, they sold the Chieftain to their son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Lorie Klein, which is now known as the Chieftain Conference Center.
Christ and Betty retired to Carrington in 1984. His wife of 49 years, Betty, died Feb. 11, 1997. Christ married Ann Striefel (Leismester) on Oct. 20, 1998, at Harvey.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, American Legion and VFW.
Christ is survived by his wife, Ann, Harvey; 11 children, Gary (Connie) Klein, Fargo, Carla (Dennis) Hagel, Carrington, Dale (Mary) Klein, Fargo, Mark (Deb) Klein, Fargo, Christy (Paul) Reimer, Carrington, Charmain (Steve) Romanoski, Sheboygan, Wis., Carol (Mike) Birkeland, Chandler, Ariz., Frank (Lorie) Klein, Carrington, Colleen (Orin) Gedrose, Dallas, Brian (Melody) Klein, Eagan, Minn., and Darren (Dawn) Klein, Bennington, Neb.; 28 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Beatrice Schall, Fargo, Lorraine Schaefer, Rapid City, S.D., Delores Carlo, Seattle, Arlene Schmaltz, Rugby, and Kathy Schwinghammer, Ely, Minn.; and four stepchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; one sister, Eleanor Schall; four brothers, Leo, Henry, Harold and Jerry; a son, Kallen; a grandson, Neil; a great-granddaughter, Taylor; and one step-granddaughter, Rita.
CARRINGTON — Christ Klein, 85, Carrington, died Jan. 29, 2012, at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Carrington. Interment will be at Carrington Cemetery.
Christian "Christ" Klein was born May 1, 1926, the son of Frank and Christina (Ripplinger) Klein at Balta. Christ was raised on a farm near Orrin. He attended school in Sylva until the eighth grade. Christ continued to farm with his father until he was inducted into the U.S. Navy. He served in World War II from 1945-46 on the naval vessels USS Gasconade and USS Ajax.
Christ was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Richter on June 7, 1948, at Selz. They first lived and farmed in Orrin. In 1957, they moved to their principal farm by Brantford. They farmed and ranched several hundred head of cattle. Christ was instrumental in developing the Tarentaise breed of cattle and promoting them all over the U.S. He served on the American Tarentaise Association (ATA) board of directors and for his efforts he was inducted into the ATA Hall of Fame. Christ and Betty purchased the Chieftain Motor Lodge in Carrington in 1974. During all of this time, they raised 11 children who helped and were integrated into the businesses of farming, ranching and motel/restaurant. In 1993, they sold the Chieftain to their son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Lorie Klein, which is now known as the Chieftain Conference Center.
Christ and Betty retired to Carrington in 1984. His wife of 49 years, Betty, died Feb. 11, 1997. Christ married Ann Striefel (Leismester) on Oct. 20, 1998, at Harvey.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, American Legion and VFW.
Christ is survived by his wife, Ann, Harvey; 11 children, Gary (Connie) Klein, Fargo, Carla (Dennis) Hagel, Carrington, Dale (Mary) Klein, Fargo, Mark (Deb) Klein, Fargo, Christy (Paul) Reimer, Carrington, Charmain (Steve) Romanoski, Sheboygan, Wis., Carol (Mike) Birkeland, Chandler, Ariz., Frank (Lorie) Klein, Carrington, Colleen (Orin) Gedrose, Dallas, Brian (Melody) Klein, Eagan, Minn., and Darren (Dawn) Klein, Bennington, Neb.; 28 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; five sisters, Beatrice Schall, Fargo, Lorraine Schaefer, Rapid City, S.D., Delores Carlo, Seattle, Arlene Schmaltz, Rugby, and Kathy Schwinghammer, Ely, Minn.; and four stepchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Betty; one sister, Eleanor Schall; four brothers, Leo, Henry, Harold and Jerry; a son, Kallen; a grandson, Neil; a great-granddaughter, Taylor; and one step-granddaughter, Rita.
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