Ambrose "Ambie" Klinnert

Ambrose Klinnert, 79, of rural Dent, died Saturday, November 25, 2017, at Sanford in Fargo, ND.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7

Ambrose “Ambie” Arthur Klinnert was born to Arthur and Catherine (Rian) Klinnert on July 28, 1938. He was a lifelong member of St. James Catholic Church in Maine, where he served as a Eucharistic minister, usher, and member of the men’s prayer group and the Knights of Columbus for many years.

As a child, Ambrose attended rural schools in Maine township and graduated from Fergus Falls High School. He often recounted stories of bringing a shotgun to school and then getting off the bus early to walk and hunt the rest of the way. After high school, he enlisted in the National Guard and worked at Service Food in Fergus Falls as well as for Townsend Concessions. While working concessions, Ambrose met Joan Grage, and on June 6, 1964, they were married at St. James Church in Maine. They were blessed with three children--Anne (1966), Tom (1971), and Katy (1986)--and six grandchildren--Ryan (1992); Lucas, Kendall, and Abby (1998); Colton (1999); and Maddie (2004).

Throughout his life, Ambrose worked a variety of jobs, including many years with the Soil and Water Conservation as well several entrepreneurial endeavors such as making maple syrup for more than 20 years and sawing lumber for more than 30. While self-employed, he had the opportunity for more flexibility and time with his family, which he valued greatly, and while working on the sawmill, he was able to come in for lunch each day and never left the kitchen without complimenting Joan on the meal and immediately asking what was for supper.

“Saint” Ambrose, as he often introduced himself, was known for his sense of humor and always had a “funny one” ready to tell no matter the situation. Ole and Lena jokes, blonde quips, and bad puns were always on the tip of his tongue to make everyone laugh--or at least roll their eyes and smile. His kindness, friendliness, and down-to-earth attitude put everyone at ease, and everyone was his friend. He loved to chat on the phone or over coffee and always took time for others and was quick to help anyone who needed it.

Those who knew Ambrose were blessed to learn many lessons from him--the importance of honesty, the value of kindness, the best spots to catch fish on a warm summer day, and so much more. Ambrose spent his life as an avid marksman and fisherman, traveling with friends and family to hunt bear, elk, deer, ducks, geese, grouse, turkey, and pheasant. One of his first gifts to Joan was a gun, and he spent time with each of his children and grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, teaching them to fish and hunt and spending invaluable quality time with them outdoors. He loved taking people out on lake “No-tell-em” and singing “Here, fishy, fishy, fishy” until there was a bite on the line, and he even made many of his own lures, spears, and decoys.

Ambrose also enjoyed watching the Vikings and the Twins, as well as local high school basketball, and spent countless hours playing ball with all of his children and grandchildren. In the past few years, one of his great joys was to watch his grandkids play baseball, basketball, volleyball, and run track, traveling to North Dakota and Wisconsin to cheer them on.

On Saturday, November 25, Ambrose went to be with Jesus, surrounded by his bride of 53 years and all of their children. The evening before he passed away, his family asked if he had one last lesson to teach them. He responded simply, “Treat everyone with kindness. The roles might be reversed.”

Ambrose is survived by his wife, Joan; children Anne Jones, Tom (Rachel) Klinnert, Katy (John) Klinnert Ellison; grandchildren Ryan, Lucas, Kendall, Abby, and Colton Jones, and Maddie Leukam; sister Angie Gilles, and mother-in-law, Muriel Grage.

He was preceded in death by his parents Art and Catherine Klinnert, father-in-law Charles Grage, sister Jeannette Thoms, son-in-law Terry Jones, and brother-in-law Pete Gilles.

Blessed be the memory of Ambrose “Ambie” Arthur Klinnert.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017, at St. James Catholic Church, Underwood, MN, with a 7 p.m. public prayer service, and resuming one hour prior to the service at the church

Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Saturday, December 2, 2017, at St. James Catholic Church, Underwood, MN

Clergy: Father LeRoy Schik

Interment: St. James Catholic Cemetery, rural Underwood

Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls

Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com