Alfred Klein, 87, Park Ridge, IL formerly of Thief River Falls, MN died on Friday, February 25, 2011 at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL.

Alfred Raymond Klein was born on March 10, 1923 in Norden Township, Pennington County, MN to the late Francis and Bertha (Swenson) Klein. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended City View school in rural Thief River Falls, MN. Alfred also attended Lincoln High School, graduating in 1940 as Salutatorian of his class.

Following high school, Alfred stayed on the family farm helping his mother until he moved to the Chicago area in the early 1950s. While Alfred was on the farm he invented the first pegboard with hooks and sold his invention to a major retail company which later patented the design. Upon arriving in Chicago, Alfred went to work at Munsingwear, a company that made undergarments. Being an engineer by trade, he designed a machine that was able to sew elastic waistbands onto knit undergarments without snapping the threads.

Alfred continued on in engineering, specializing in filters. He designed a filter used in a vacuum for an exploration to the moon and also invented a filter used in cardiac surgery.

Alfred loved to surprise his family and friends with impromptu visits back to the Thief River Falls area. In his spare time he enjoyed watching the stock markets. He lived an active and full life and will be remembered for being a modest and fun-loving man.

He is survived by his sister, Ruth Oen of Crookston, MN; nephews and nieces, Dorothy Moore of Boise, ID, Janice Schaefer of Carson, CA, Arthur (Jane) Bakke of Carson, CA, Jewel (David) Moen of Grand Forks, ND, Rick (Bonnie) Elofson of Grand Forks, ND, Terry Elofson of Napa, CA, Spencer Oen of Port Angeles, WA, Shaun (Steven) Muzzy of Thief River Falls, MN, and Scott (Terri) Oen of Savage, MN, and many great-nephews and great-nieces.

Preceding Alfred in death are his parents; brother, Reuben Klein; sisters, Gladys Bakke, Amelia Ellefson, and Evelyn Klein; niece, Beatrice Hancock; nephew, Rodney Klein, and great-nephew, Karl Reger.

A Graveside Service will be at 1;30 P.M. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.