Jack KLAEHN

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KLAEHN: Jack Earl Klaehn peacefully entered into rest on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Fairview Home, Brandon. Jack was born July 12, 1920 in Kitchener, Ontario to parents Otto and Edie Klaehn. He was the second of four sons: Walter, Jack, Gordon and Leroy. He enlisted in the Canadian army, was accepted into the medic section, stationed in Halifax and serviced until his discharge in 1945. He met and courted Reba, while they were both employed at the same company. They eventually married and raised three daughters whom they were quite proud of. Jack's younger years were spent working at a variety of jobs and he always provided for his family. He worked at Robin Hood flour mills in Port Colborne until a fire destroyed the elevator and the company decided not to rebuild. He searched for awhile, and then became a Fuller Brush dealer. He often took his kids along when he delivered his wares. Jack and Reba made the difficult decision to move the family to northern Manitoba. Jack started with Inco in December 1961 and moved the family up in 1962, where they resided for the next 27 years. Once they moved to Thompson, it didn't take long to make it home as the family was once again whole. Jack was employed at Inco as a labourer, he moved up to the furnaces and the drags in the smelter, then became a roaster operator and finally into the tool crib. He was known to many as "yappy Jack" as he would talk to anyone about anything, anywhere. He was a member of the Army & Navy Veterans in Thompson as well as the Royal Canadian Legion and transferred to the Oak Lake Branch when he retired. Upon retiring from Inco in 1988, Jack and Reba made the move to Griswold for a year or so. They found a house they liked in Oak Lake where they lived for a number of years making many friends and acquaintances'. Jack moved into Brandon to Sokol Manor and then into Fairview Home where he received excellent care from all who were his caregivers. Jack is survived by his three daughters Jackie (Ralph) Matz of Griswold, Manitoba, Cathy (Frank) Epp of Orillia, Ontario, and Sandi Klaehn of Austin, Manitoba. His grandchildren Stuart (Patricia) Matz of Brandon, J.J. (Delvene) Langan of Steinbach, Manitoba, Patrick (Nicole) Langan of St. Pierre Jolys, Manitoba, Joanna Klaehn of Brandon, Manitoba, Wesley (Joann Lanoie) Hokkinen of Winnipeg, Manitoba, David (Dorothy Roberts) Hokkinen ofWinnipeg, Manitoba. Also 14 great grandchildren: Jonathon Matz, Braden Langan, Kaeleigh Langan, Danica Langan, Jalen Langan, Zachary Miller, Kay-lynn Miller, Mikayla Lanoie, Alexis Lanoie, Hunter Lanoie, Ashley Roberts, Cody Cohen, Madison Roberts, Megan Roberts. He is also survived by a sister-in-law Bernice Klaehn of Kitchener, Ontario and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his parents Otto and Edie Klaehn; three brothers: Walter, Gordon and Leroy; niece Brenda Lee Klaehn in 1964; granddaughter Brenda Ann Matz in 1990 and his wife Reba in 1996. The Ceremony to Celebrate Jack's Life was held at Griswold United Church, Griswold, Manitoba, on Wednesday, October 13, 2010. Rev. Craig Miller officiated. A Private Interment followed at the Griswold Cemetery. Donations in memory of Jack may be made to a charity of one's choice. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330.

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 23, 2010