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Klinkhammer, age 81, of Valley City, ND, died Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 12th at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the church. Interment will be in St. Catherine’s Catholic Cemetery.
Thomas John Klinkhammer was born April 20, 1934 to Nicholas and Margaret (Dittel) Klinkhammer in Cogswell, ND. Tom graduated from Cogswell High School and graduated from Ellendale Normal College. He also received his master’s degree in education from the University of North Dakota. Tom taught Industrial Arts in Enderlin for one year and then taught at Valley City High School for thirty-eight years. During his teaching career, he coached ninth grade football as well as a girls’ golf state championship team. He loved teaching and took pride in his students’ success. His dedication earned him North Dakota’s Industrial Arts Teacher of Year award.
On December 26, 1959, Tom married Avis Dafoe at St. Catherine’s Parish in Valley City, ND. Together they had three children, Gayle, Dennis and Nancy. He was as much a teacher with his family as he was his students—his patience, kind demeanor and sense of humor made him an excellent father, husband, uncle, grandfather, and friend.
Tom enjoyed crossword puzzles, woodworking, golf, pinochle, cribbage, and attending his grandchildren’s many activities. Tom’s family and extended family adored him and were always supportive of him and Avis during his health struggles. Tom wanted us to know that his wife was the love of his life and that she diligently cared for him in good health and bad. He never took life for granted and approached every obstacle with a great sense of humor and a strong faith. He truly loved everybody, and everyone who knew him loved him.
Tom’s family is grateful for the wonderful medical care he received throughout his life, especially from Red River Valley Hospice, The Legacy Center and The Sheyenne Care Center. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Avis; daughters, Gayle (Cory) Nelson and Nancy (Mike) Ellis; son, Dennis (Lori) Klinkhammer; grandchildren, Leah and Alec Nelson, Nick and Courtney Klinkhammer, and Tommy and Kara Ellis; sister, Rita (Merlin) and brothers, Dick (Darlene), Robert (Cathie) and Michael (Anne) Klinkhammer; and sister and brothers in-law; Dale and Peggy Koppelman and Ken and Carroll Berntson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His parents; stepfathers, Herb Parmeter and Brad Stout; father and mother-in-law, Art and Nora Dafoe; and brother-in-law Dennis Dafoe preceded him in death.
Funeral arrangements by the Lerud Schuldt Funeral Home of Valley City. Online guestbook available at www.lerudschuldt.com.