Marie Kleinvachter, 95, of Thief River Falls, MN, died on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Thief River Care Center, Thief River Falls, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 PM, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church with Monsignor Roger Grundhaus officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the St. Bernards Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral mass at the church on Wednesday.

Marie Agnes Grundhaus Kleinvachter was born on June 12, 1913, in Wabasha County in Southern Minnesota. She moved to Thief River Falls as a child and went to country school through eighth grade. Marie worked at Peterson and Biddick, S&L, and later Bjorkman's. Marie married Howard Christie in September 1934 and Howard passed away in October 1952.

In October 1955 Marie married Adolph Kleinvachter and they resided in rural Thief River Falls until Adolph passed away in January of 1982.

Marie was a member of St. Bernard's Parish, St. Bernard's Guild, and the VFW Auxiliary.

Marie is survived by nine stepchildren: Susan Gigstad, Fargo, N.D.; Robert Kleinvachter, Hastings, MN; Beverly (David) Hauswirth, New Brighton, MN; Ronald (Diane) Kleinvachter, Gilbert, AZ; Ivadell (Don) Douglas, Park Rapids, MN; Dennis (Pat) Kleinvachter, Sun Lakes, AZ; Carol Sommers, San Antonio, TX; Arlette (Albert) Friedlander, Lake Elmo, MN; James (Josephine) Kleinvachter, Sauk Centre, MN; 22 grandchildren and several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Howard and Adolph; sisters Lucille Chester, Dorothy LaCrosse, Gertrude Bolstad; and brothers Edward Grundhaus, William Grundhaus, and Jack Grundhaus; sons-in-law Kurt Gigstad, Jack Hoppe and George Sommers.


ORGANIST: Beverly Hauswirth
CANTOR: Jane Mattson
READER: Susan Gigstad
CASKETBEARERS: All of Marie's grandchildren