Rodger Dean Klitzke, 78

Published 10:29 am Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Rodger Dean Klitzke, 78, of Austin, Minnesota, died Sunday morning, Oct. 11, 2015, at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, St. Marys Campus.

Klitzke

He was born Jan. 18, 1937, at home in rural Lyle, Minnesota, the son of Melvin and Edna (Larson) Klitzke. After attending school in Iowa, Rodger graduated from Lyle High School in 1955. He served his country in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne from 1956 to 1959. He made his living as a farmer near London, Minnesota, and worked as a manager for Big Bear Farm Store. Later he purchased H&K True Value Hardware in Northwood, Iowa. From 1968 to 1970, he served as a police officer for the Austin Police Department. From 1972 to 2010, he continued his career in farming near Lansing, Minnesota. On Dec. 16, 1987, Rodger was united in marriage to Ruth Madison at Crane Community Chapel in Austin. A past member of the Eagles Club, Rodger enjoyed singing, tractors, cars, and racing. He raced for a while in his bright yellow No. 7 car.

Rodger is survived by his wife Ruth Klitzke of Austin, Minnesota; his daughter Julie Paulson and her children of San Tan Valley, Arizona, daughter Laurie (Rod) Vitzthum and their children of Algona, Iowa; Ruth’s son John (Deanne) Ryther and their children of Austin, Minnesota, Ruth’s daughter Michelle (Dave) Sanders of Hewitt, Texas; nine grandchildren; a sister Sharon Haitt of Billings, Montana; a sister-in-law Florence Klitzke of Northwood, Iowa; and mother-in-law Patty Madison of Austin, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Edna Klitzke; an infant son; and his brother, Kenneth Klitzke.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor Glenn Monson officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post 91. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.