Michael Klukow, 1954-2015

Published 9:00 am Sunday, April 19, 2015

A memorial service for Michael “Mike” N. Klukow will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Concordia Bear Lake Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daphne Hamborg will officiate. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Bear Lake Cemetery.

Michael Klukow

Mike passed away surrounded by family on Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Society. He was 60 years old.

Michael Norman Klukow was born on Sept. 28, 1954, in Albert Lea to Norman F. and Pearl E. (Reyerson) Klukow. Mike was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Bear Lake Lutheran Church, and continued to be a lifelong member. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1973, and later graduated with a degree in architectural drafting from Dunwoody Institute. He started work as a carpenter. It was there where someone suggested that he apply to for the planning and zoning administrator position for Freeborn County. He applied and later accepted the position, where he continued to work for 25 plus years. For the last several years he designed and inspected septic systems for independent contractors.

Mike married Jackie Schmitt on Aug. 27, 1981, in Albert Lea. The couple was blessed with four children.

Mike was described as a handy man that loved woodworking and could build anything. His favorite projects were building cedar strip canoes and custom paddles. He was very meticulous with his work. Aside from woodworking, he was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. Mike was a regular at the Elbow Room where everyone knew him. To get away, he would retreat to his cabin at Bear Lake. Family was very important to him, and his greatest memories are the times he spent with his children and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother, Pearl Klukow; children Shauna (Brian) Reilly, Dustin (Samantha) Klukow, Kayla (Ryan) Chrz and Brandon (fiancee Jodi Moen) Klukow; grandchildren Morgan and Asher Reilly, Cora and Cale Klukow and Wesley Chrz; siblings Steve Klukow and Randi (Mike) Murphy; a mother in-law, Margaret Schmitt; nieces Jessica Thayer and Madison and Austin Murphy; his beloved cat, Frosty; as well as many other extended relatives and friends.

He is preceded by his father, Norman Klukow.