Funeral services for Richard Elmer "Rich" Klein, 70, of Hettinger, ND will be Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. the Congregational Church in Reeder, ND. Rev. Ilo Madden will officiate and burial with full military honors will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery near Reeder, ND. Visitations will be from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday morning.


RICHARD ELMER KLEIN was born on Dec. 8, 1935 in Burt, ND to Fredrick and Emma (Tintzemen) Klein. He grew up on the family farm. He enlisted into the US Army and served his country during the Korean conflict. Richard married Lorlee Muth on June 6, 1964 and they've been married for 42 years. Three children were born to this union. Rich managed the Hertz Ranch south of Reeder for 16 years. In 1980 they moved to Dickinson, ND and Rich worked in the oil fields driving a water truck. Rich then moved to Middletown, NY where he worked for Federal Block in Newburgh, NY. He retired and they moved to Hettinger, ND in 2000.


He loved to go fishing, working, gardening, traveling and visiting with friends and neighbors. In May of 2006, Rich began driving for Express Shuttle and for the last four months he truly loved this work. Rich Klein died as a result of injuries sustained in two car collision accident near Bowman, ND on October 5, 2006 while driving for Express Shuttle. He will be remembered for his positive attitude, his wonderful smile and the love he had for his family. Rich was hard-working, yet enjoyed life also. It was always easy for him to make friends where he went.


His family would like to extend a very special "Thanks" to Dave Staska, of West Fargo, ND who stayed with Rich immediately after the accident, called Lorlee and kept him company until the ambulance arrived. They would also like to thank Alan and Jenny Swenson for driving Lorlee to the Hospital in Bowman that night and all of their friends for their love and support in this trying time.


Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Lorlee Klein, of Hettinger, ND; three children, Kerry (Riley) Eide, Beulah, ND, Tracy Klein, Winter Springs, FL and Randell Klein, Hettinger, ND; brothers and sisters, Elmer (Bea) Klein, Las Vegas, NV, Marvin (Margie) Klein, Cherry Valley, CA, Sophie (Dean) Kissinger, Augusta, AR, Bill (Margie) Klein, Dickinson, ND, Oscar (Bertha) Klein, Dickinson, ND, Ervin Klein, Thornton, CO, Victor (Erin) Klein, Bismarck, ND and Darlene (Charles) Honeycutt, Mesa, AZ; grandchildren, Lacey (Steve) Hosea, Killeen, TX, Jenni and Kassie Eide, of Beulah, ND and Randell Jacob Klein, Hettinger, ND and many nieces and nephews. Preceding Rich in death were his parents, brothers, Andrew, Adam and Bernard Klein and a sister, Florence Klein.


Arrangements are under the guidance of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger, ND