LeRoy Klein

LeRoy Raymond Klein, 76, of Bismarck passed away on March 22, 2016, after a courageous battle with heart complications. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, April 2, at Church of St. Mary, 806 E Broadway Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Msgr. Gene Lindemann officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Friday, April 1, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil will begin at 7:00 pm. LeRoy was born on September 23, 1939, in Macintosh County, the son of Matt and Magdalena (Wolf) Klein. He was raised on the family farmstead northwest of Zeeland, ND. After LeRoy graduated from Zeeland High (1957) he went on to Wahpeton School of Science (1957-1958) where he received a degree in Diesel Mechanics. In 1958 Leroy moved to Bismarck where he worked for Haas International which later became Nelson International. He married Kolleen Ann Koch on November 16, 1964. They lived in Bismarck where they had three children, Keith, Kevin and Kary. LeRoy had a long career as a diesel mechanic of 53 years before retiring in 2011. Even after retiring, his passion as a mechanic continued on as he worked part- time until 2014. Throughout his career as a mechanic he also had his own business working evenings and weekends on a wide range of vehicles, tractors and semis for his own clientele. LeRoy enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Some of his greatest passions were gardening and going to rummage sales. He also enjoyed going camping, tinkering on small engines, collecting die casts (cars and tractors) and comic books. Leroy was a very well-known and respected individual, it never failed that wherever he went there was always someone that would walk up to him, shake his hand and strike up a conversation. LeRoy was a loving husband, an outstanding role model and loving father to his three sons as well as his five grandchildren. He will always be in our hearts and dearly missed by all who knew him. LeRoy is survived by three sons, one daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren, Keith and Kristy Klein and their children, Sean, Autumn, and Christian; Kevin Klein and fiancée Lora Jundt, and Kevin’s children Carter, and Kolen; Kary Klein and fiancée Jody Simonson all of Bismarck; five brothers and sisters, Joe Klein of Bismarck, Annie Weigel of Bismarck, Mathew and Isabell Klein of Minot, Walter (Whitey) Klein of Zeeland, Betty and Duane (Dewey) Burndt of Herried SD. He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Kolleen Klein; his parents Matt and Magdalena Klein; and five brothers and sisters, Tony, Johnny, Francis, Julia, and Lena.