Arland Vernon Klein

Arland V. Klein, age 97, of Parkers Prairie died on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at St. William’s Living Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, September 25, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Kirk Lee officiating. Interment will take place at Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Arland Vernon Klein was born on March 9, 1926 to Rudoph and Lily (Huwe) Klein on the family farm in Millerville Township.  He was baptized on April 4, 1926 at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Douglas County by Rev. H.J. Raedeke, and confirmed in the Lutheran faith on June 9, 1940, also by Rev. Raedeke.  Arland was part of a combined class with St. James Lutheran Church, South Effington.

Arland attended country school through eighth grade at District 56, and ninth grade at Brandon High School. Following his education, he began working at Dobmeyer Mill, sacking feed, and continued working on the family farm.  Arland loved living rural life with his siblings, fishing on Lake Aaron, and cherished memories of attending Trinity Lutheran Church.  He recalled that the children’s Christmas programs were presented on Christmas Day evening, complete with a tree lighted up with real candles.  Rev. and Mrs. Raedeke organized the program, and “to my dissatisfaction, she made me sing   ‘Away in a Manger’ two years in a row when I was a young child.”

In 1949 Arland moved to Parkers Prairie and began working in the trucking business with his cousin, Don Huwe, hauling livestock to the South St. Paul Stockyards.  The business grew, and eventually he became sole owner.  In 1969 Arland entered into a partnership with Alan Riedel and they purchased the Parkers School Bus Company.  In 1977 he bought an auto parts business, known as Klein Supply.  Arland’s love affair with driving the roadways continued as he peddled parts on various routes three days a week.  On occasion he would drive gas transport and bulk truck for Penrose Oil.

Upon moving to Parkers Prairie in 1949, Arland met his future life partner, Eileen Block. The couple were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church on September 4, 1949.  Two children, Karen and Norman, were born to this union. Once their family was raised, Arland and Eileen enjoyed some traveling around the country, to Alaska, Germany, and the Holy Land.  While residing at St. William’s Living Center, the couple celebrated their 72^nd wedding anniversary in 2021.

Arland was very civic-minded and, for a number of years, served as a councilman for the City of Parkers Prairie.  He was one of the original drivers for the local volunteer ambulance service, and in 1979 became a registered Emergency Medical Technician.  Arland also served on the Parkers Prairie Community Cemetery Association. A man of deep faith, Arland became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in 1949.   He had a servant’s heart and was a longtime usher, a member of the Men’s Club, Lutheran Layman’s League, and sang in Immanuel’s choir until it disbanded.  He was active on numerous boards and helped out wherever he was needed.

Arland was preceded in death by his wife Eileen; parents Rudolph and Lily; sister Lorraine Meissner and her husband, Harlen; sister Ruth Thoennes and her husband, Edward; brother LeRoy Klein; son-in-law Dr. Buron Lindbloom; a nephew, Thomas Thoennes; and a niece Norma Odens.

He is survived by his children, Karen Lindbloom of Pierre, SD, and Norman (Kristie) Klein of Hugo; four grandchildren, Christopher (Robin) Bauck of St. Cloud, Rodd (Megan) Bauck of Pierre, SD, Eric (Lauren) Klein of Grand Island, NE, and Kendra Knappenberger of White Bear Lake; great-grandchildren, Ian and Ava Bauck, Noah, Alexa and Keely Klein, and Andrew “AJ” and Tyler Knappenberger; step-grandchild, Brayden Kelash; brother Jerry (Judy) Klein; sister-in-law Jackie Klein; and a number of  special nieces and nephews.

Serving as casket bearers will be Ian Bauck, Gary Klein, Jay Klein, Harold Meissner, James Meissner, Tim Thoennes

Memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church and/or the Parkers Prairie Ambulance Service.