Mark Klein

Mark Klein, 80, passed away peacefully at a Bismarck hospital with family at his side on May 9, 2024. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, May 13, at Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary, 825 E Broadway Ave, Bismarck. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. 

Burial will be held at 1:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. 

Mark was born in Linton, ND on August 26, 1943 to Ludwig and Marion (Feist) Klein. He attended Linton High School and joined the Navy at the age of 17 where he served honorably for four years and acquired his Diesel Mechanic Certificate. He returned home to Linton to marry his high school sweetheart, Clarissa Holzer in 1964. The couple settled near Menoken, ND where they raised their two children, Tina and Troy. 

Mark pursued his diesel mechanic career with 13 years at Haas International but found his true passion at Basin Electric Power Cooperative where he retired after 20 years of service. Mark was a proud and hard-working man who could solve any problem and fix any piece of equipment. He was known for his handyman skills and was always working in his shop on a project for friends, neighbors, or family while listening to the Polka Hour on his transistor radio. Winter evenings were spent with family in the shop tuning snowmobiles for the many trail rides to Bottineau, Park Rapids, Deadwood, or a short “test run” to the Virgil’s Bar in McKenzie, ND. 

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed spending time with family and friends at their cabin at Cattail Bay. “What happens at the cabin stays at the cabin”. He was also passionate about horses. He attended many rodeos, was the trail boss on the annual ride from Linton to Bismarck, and was a member of the Beaver Valley Horse Club. 

Mark was quick witted and had a nickname for everyone he met. He loved playing shenanigans with his grandchildren while gathered around the kitchen table for Sunday feasts. He was a jokester with the kids and would always send them off with a huge hug and a goodbye knuckles handshake.

He is survived by his wife, Clarissa; daughter, Tina (Tom) Schumacher and son, Troy (Donia) Klein, both of Bismarck; four grandchildren, Shauna (Chase) Dinga of Bismarck, Angela (Karson) Hintz of Hazen, and Cole and Cash Klein both of Bismarck; four great-grandchildren David, Josie, Hattie, and Hayden; as well as his siblings, Marcella, Sue, Carol, Leo, and Bob. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; Ludwig and Marion; and siblings Regina, Pete, and infant sister Delores.