John "Jack" H. Klinkhammer

John H. Klinkhammer, age 87, of Alexandria, died on Friday, February 23, 2024, at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Fr. Rick Aubol officiating. Interment will be held at Hudson Cemetery, Forada.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m., Monday, February 26, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

John Heinz was born on February 22, 1937, to Joseph and Christine (Ernst) Klinkhammer in Oakes, North Dakota. He was raised alongside his nine siblings on their family's farm, where he developed a strong work ethic. He completed his education at a local country school and graduated from Cogswell High School in 1955. Following his schooling, Jack continued to work on the farm. He married the love of his life, Roberta Robins on August 26, 1957, at the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Oakes, North Dakota. After starting their family in North Dakota, the Klinkhammer family relocated to Lead, South Dakota. Jack started a job at the Homestake Gold Mine, where he soon realized after his first day on the job that this was not the life he envisioned and mining gold was not his passion.  He started working on his “5 year plan” to get out of the gold mine and make a better life for his family. After 5 years, he got into sales and would soon become a visionary in the hospitality industry. Jack 's career evolved from mobile home sales to hotel developement, leading to the creation of the Travel Host franchise with Roberta. This venture sparked interest in the motel industry, culminating in the construction of the first Country Inn and Suites hotel, which the Carlson Group later acquired and expanded. At age 80, he led development of the Alexandria Hotel Group, playing a key role in launching the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Alexandria, MN, calling this his last hurrah 

Throughout his diverse career, Jack consistently made time for the lake. Over the years, the family always had a cabin. Some of the lakes included Crane, Ottertail, Maple Lake, and Lake Mary. He made it a priority to bring his family together at the lake cabin every weekend creating lasting memories. Jack taught his grandkids to waterski, drive, and fish.  He was an avid fisherman and fished until he was 86.  His family always took precedence and he took great pride in his children and their families, always emphasizing the importance of family unity and quality time.  He will be greatly missed. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Roberta; children, Mark (Becky) Klinkhammer of Alexandria, Sharlene (Larry) Delorme of Menomonie, Wisconsin, Sheila (Theron) Gotsvaslee of Alexandria, Steven (Colleen) Klinkhammer of Marshall, and Vicki (Jeff) Nelson of Alexandria; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Kathy (Bill) Urie and Mary Jo Thompson. 

Serving as casket bearers will be John's grandsons.