Fred Louis Klanke Jr.

Fred L Klanke Jr was born in Stuttgart, Arkansas to Fred and Corella Klanke on October 17, 1937. Fred’s work ethic materialized at a young age as he worked on the family farm throughout his childhood. He was fond of his horse named Honey. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958 and was stationed in Salina as an Electronics Technician where he worked on electronics and radar for B-17s, B-29s, and B-47s before leaving the Air Force. He took up flying and at one point owned a Cessna 105. While in the Air Force, he met his future bride, Alberta. They married on October 12,1959 and raised two fantastic sons, Jim and David.

He began his civilian career at an auto service shop where he became a certified GM mechanic. Shortly after, he enrolled in the Industrial Training Institute where he received an Electronic Technician associate degree. He began working at Montgomery Wards as an Electronics Service Technician. At one point, he owned his own TV business where he sold and serviced TVs. He followed up with KASA Industrial Controls where he worked for over 30 years.

After he retired from KASA, he began farming full time which was his true love. He farmed for another 20 years until health issues limited his movements. The one constant throughout Fred’s life was his love of growing a garden, something he did up until the final moments of his life. Fred was a simple man; the farm was his peaceful place. He was creative and known to develop his own replacement parts for his farm equipment. He had a knack for purchasing old equipment and restoring it. He experimented with different types of crops including cotton, peanuts, and popcorn. His favorite crop was rice which he grew in Arkansas. Fred leaves behind his wife, Alberta, son, Jim, Jim’s wife Lisa, and 2 grandchildren, Hannah and Hallie, and David’s wife, Judy. Fred was 87 years old.

A graveside service will be held 10:30 am, Wednesday, October 22, at Highland Cemetery, 3979 N Woodward, New Cambria, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina, Kansas in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home.