Obituary of Edwin Klatt

Ed Klatt, 84, of Cambridge passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 19th surrounded by his loving family. Edwin Leroy Klatt was born on July 29, 1923, the tenth of eleven children to Rose and Rudolf Klatt in Willow River, Minnesota. He graduated from Willow River High School. Ed enlisted in the Marine Corp in December of 1941, and bravely fought in six major invasions in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. Ed married Annette Niemi on August 29th, 1948. To that beautiful union was born four children - Susan, Linda, Edwin, and Bradley. He bought a farm on the Rum River. He knew how to care for the earth by planting thousands of hardwood and evergreens in what eventually became his Christmas tree farm. Ed retired as a painter foreman from Cambridge State School and Hospital after 38 years. He spent his retirement being a wonderful Grandpa to his 8 grandchildren, hunting, fishing, gardening, chopping wood, reading, going to auctions and garage sales, and periodic casino runs. Ed had a keen sense of humor and loved to tell stories about his life. At the age of 80, he fulfilled one of his dreams to go to Alaska to fish with his sons. Last February, Ed was able to travel to Washington DC with his children to visit the memorials built in his and his fellow veteran's honor. He and Annette were part of The Greatest Generation who survived the depression, WWII, and passed on the value of honesty, hard work, faithfulness, and generosity. Ed was happiest out of doors. He loved gardening, fishing, camping, hunting, and raising Christmas trees. He loved reading books, and feeding the birds and deer every day. He loved visiting with people, and especially looked forward to his Thursday morning coffee with the guys, his WWII group at the VA, and monthly cousin suppers. He is survived by Annette, his loving wife of 59 ½ years, his children Susan Willson of Wenatchee, WA, Linda and husband Don Neal of Minneapolis, Edwin N. and wife Bobbi Klatt of Cambridge, and Brad and wife Chris Weiss-Klatt of Chisago City. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Derek Willson, Dayna Willson, Graham Neal, Thea Neal, Rylan Klatt, Kendal Klatt, Eli Klatt and Noah Klatt, sisters Darlene Ploeger of Melrose, Esther Thorson of Darby MT, mother in law Ruth Niemi of Westport, WA, sister in law Carol and husband Dave Carnahan of Goldendale, WA, many friends and relatives, and his faithful canine companion Missy. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Rose and Rudolf Klatt, his 5 brothers Rudolf, Clifford, Gustof, Arnold, Oscar, and his 3 sisters, Elsie Gregory, Adeline Goldeman and Gloria Franze.