Alvin Klein

Alvin Klein, 74, of Alsen, ND passed away at his home on Sunday, October 19, 2014 in the loving care of his family.

Alvin, son of Andrew and Myrtle (Harpestad) Klein, was born May 28, 1940 at the family farm north of Alsen. He was the 6th out of 7 boys born to Andrew and Myrtle. Alvin attended school at Gordon Special #2 country school for 3 years, Rosehill for 2 years, then at Alsen High School where he graduated. He worked and played hard on the family farm. When Alvin wasn’t farming or attending to animals, he was playing basketball or another sport with his cousins and friends. Alvin took pride in being a member of the Alsen Broncos basketball team from 6th grade through high school. In 1957, straight off the bench as a sophomore, he made the winning basket of the first state over-time game which kept the Broncos in the tournament. They later won the 1957 state tournament. In 1958, as a starter, Alvin and the Bronco team continued to win their 2nd consecutive state championship. As a senior in 1959, their winning streak ended after 11 straight wins. They still hold the North Dakota state record for the most wins at 79. Alvin and his team are very proud of these accomplishments and still get together whenever they are able.

On July 22, 1963 Alvin married Barbara Dease in Langdon, ND. They lived in Langdon until purchasing a house in Derrick, ND. They then moved the house to Alsen. Through this marriage they had four children. Alvin farmed until 1980 while also working for the Soo Line Railroad. He retired after 37 years but to pass the time after retirement, Alvin helped out at Logie farms up until he had his stroke in 2002. Since then, he has dealt with many health complications but continued to be active and show his strength. The loss of his son, Randy, in 2006 took a little piece of him away.

In his younger years, Alvin loved playing league slow- & fast-pitch softball, amateur baseball and basketball. His favorite past-time was getting out on the lakes and fishing. Alvin is known around home for making the best beer-battered fish around. Much time was spent camping and fishing while the kids were growing up. Many great family memories of Rock Lake, Canada and walleye stories were held close to his heart. Then in the last 10-15 years camping Eastbay and learning the big Devils Lake was the family getaway. Alvin especially loved pheasant hunting trips and thus his dream was to have a great trained pup. Deer hunting was also a fun time spent with family even if it got a little crazy at times. His first rifle has been used by all of his children and his son, Stacy’s, kids. The 222 is still used today and will be passed down to his younger grandchildren. Every year, if anyone got a deer, he had to come up and check it out or visit. Alvin was always very proud of his yard and mowing was always a top priority. He took lots of pride keeping the city of Alsen in tip-top shape. The Alsen Elevator and all of the people there had become a second family. The Elevator had kept him in the loop but most of all, bonded some of the best friendships. Most of all, his grandchildren were the apple of his eye. From age 23 to age 3, the 6 of them melted his heart, and he was so proud of each of them.

Alvin was a member of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Munich, ND, Alsen City Board and Sanitation Board.

Surviving Alvin are his loving wife of 51 years, Barbara of Alsen; children: Brian (Tanya) Klein of New Rockford, ND, Stacy Klein of Alsen, Kim (John) Elsperger of rural Cando, ND; grandchildren: Jordan Klein, Jocelyn Klein, Avery & Tatum Elsperger, Austin & Kendra Klein; brothers: Leonard (Carolyn) Klein, Dwayne (Shirley) Klein, Merril (LuAnn) Klein, Darrol (Marlen) Klein, Richard (Audrey) Klein; brother-in-law Donnie (Karla) Dease; special cousin Rodney Klein; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Randy Alan Klein, his parents, brother Lawrence Klein, special nephew Jerry Klein, special cousin Kenny Klein, sister-in-law Karen (Dease) Johnson and mother- and father-in-law Edward and Leona Dease.

A special thank you to nurse Ashley, Amy and aide Peggy from Altru Hospice for their special care. What a special group of people the hospice family is, and we cannot say enough about the program.

Services for Alvin will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Munich, ND with Fr. Mathew Pamplaniyil celebrating the Mass. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service time at the church. Honorary pall bearers are his grandchildren, Rodney Klein, Dean Bubach, Amy Bukowski, the Logie Family, Ron Macky, Richard Lunde, Larry Werner, Don Klein, Clinton Klein, Ed Klein, Allen Janzen, Bob Drew, Soo Line crew, and the members of the 1957-59 Alsen Broncos basketball team.