To view the Mass of Christian burial for Charles, please visit: https://www.holyfamilygf.org

Charles "Chuck" Klemmer, 84, passed from this life surrounded with the love of family on October 16th, 2023.

Chuck was born on December 21, 1938, in New England, ND to Michael "Mike" and Emma (Boespflug) Klemmer.  He was one of four boys born to the family. Chuck told stories about the strategies (i.e. running fast) of playing on a six-man football team in rural North Dakota. His family later moved to Bismarck, ND, graduating from St. Mary's High School in 1956.

Chuck and Florence said their vows of marriage on September 7, 1957. Together, they brought nine children into this world, seven growing into adulthood. Chuck's first career was with McDowell's Big Boy in Bismarck, lasting 18 years. Using his superpower of relationship building, Chuck found new opportunities in sales with Midwest Motor Company making new stories and new friendships in Duluth, MN and Grand Forks, ND. Taking a shop manager role with Dakota Electric Supply, Chuck was an integral part of rebuilding Grand Forks after the 1997 flood. In retirement, Chuck had various jobs, enjoying the people he worked with as much as doing the work.

The three legs of Chuck's life that provided him stability were the love of family, openness to making new friends, and his devotion to his faith. Chuck held leadership roles in the Grand Forks Knights of Columbus fraternity. For Sunday morning church services, Charlie was on the bus route to help those needing transportation. He made friends easily and had a knack for remembering names and stories after decades of time between encounters. In more recent times, Chuck extended his ring of friends by regularly attending evening dinner libations along with six honey-barbeque wings (you know who you are).

Chuck joins his beloved wife of 61 years, Florence (Gabel); infant daughter Vicky; infant son Kenneth; his parents; and his older brother Dennis.

Chuck will continue to be loved on this earth by his seven children. Keith (Evelyn) of Roseburg, OR; Kevin (Deb) of Bismarck, ND; Carol (Steve) Gurule of Hankinson, ND; Kendall (Wendy) of Grand Forks, ND; Karla (Craig) Solberg of Sioux Falls, SD; Kurtis of East Grand Forks, MN; and Kyle of Fargo, ND. Two brothers, Fr. Marvin Klemmer and David (Barb) Klemmer. He will be lovingly fabled by nineteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Family-St. Mary's School, 1001 17th Ave S, Grand Forks, ND 58201, "We Care Club" in memoriam of Charles Klemmer (http://www.hfsmschool.org/ or (701) 775-9886).

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2023, in Holy Family Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND.
Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023 with a 4:30 p.m. Rosary Service and a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service in the Historic Norman Funeral Home Chapel.  Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Friday.
Knights of Columbus Honor Guard: Accorded by members of the 4th Degree, Bishop Provencher Assembly #1578.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817, and the North Dakota Army National Guard.
Burial: Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.