John Klee

AITKIN -- John Klee, 71, Aitkin, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2000, at Riverwood Health Care Center of Aitkin.

He was born July 17, 1929, in Aitkin to Anthony and Glendora (Ferguson) Klee. He attended Aitkin High School and graduated in 1947. He joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1948. In 1951, the Guards were federalized and he was stationed in Camp Rucker, Ala. When he retired, he was serving as company commander. He was a longtime employee of Great Plains Gas in Aitkin. He was the manager when he retired in 1991. He married Norma Tragethon Weber on July 23, 1973, in Aitkin. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, a retired captain on the Aitkin Fire Dept. with 25 years of service, a member of the Aitkin Mystic Masonic Lodge No. 213 AF and AM and was a past master, a 32nd Degree Mason for 50 years, Past Worthy Matron of Woodland Chapter No. 122 of the O.E.S., Scottish Rite Valley of Duluth and its Bag Pipe Band, Kimberly Community Church, Past Commander of the Aitkin American Legion Lee Post No. 86, the NRA and was charter member of the Dam Lake Sportsman Club.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Patty Swedberg, Maple Grove, and Barbara Tverberg, Crystal; two sons, Roger Weber, Cold Springs, and Tony Klee, Aitkin; five grandchildren; and a sister, Joanne Hagman, Aitkin.

His parents died earlier.

Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at First Congregational Church of Aitkin with the Rev. Leslie Drake officiating. Burial will be in Saron Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by Aitkin Veterans Posts.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home of Aitkin, with a public Masonic service at 7 p.m. under the auspices of Aitkin Masonic Lodge, and an hour before services Wednesday at the church.