Detroit Lakes – Avis Joan Klema, 83, died February 23, 2025, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND.
Avis was born on Feb 14, 1942, to Edwin and Ethel (Evans) Johnson in Roseau. Avis was raised on a farm near Pencer. She went to grade school in Malung, and high school in Roseau.
In 1959, Avis married her high school sweetheart, John Klema, and the couple moved to Crookston.
Avis worked as an Administrative Assistant for Highland Middle School, Northwest Regional Corrections Center, RIC Center, and Central High School. After retiring, Avis and John moved to Little Pine Lake near Perham, and then to Detroit Lakes.
Avis was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
Avis is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, John; sister, Carolyn (Ron) Besserud; sister-in-law, Betty Johnson; brother-in-law, Frederick “Paul” Klema (Sandy); children, Dan (Nancy) Klema, Sheryl (Terry) Hinzmann, Nathan (Christine) Klema; grandchildren, William (Lou) Klema, Elizabeth (T.J.) Heck, Nick (Rachel) Hinzmann, Alisha Hinzmann, Alexis Klema and Andrew Klema; great-grandchildren, Walter and June Klema, Mia and Asher Heck; and many other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her mother-in-law, Margaret Klema; father-in-law, Paul “Bud” Klema; her brother, Allan Johnson; and her sister-in-law, Jane Bull.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes. Lunch will be served following the ceremony.
Arrangements are with David-Donehower Funeral and Cremation Service.
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