John Samuel Klasner, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, while in care at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care in Marquette, Michigan.
John was born June 22, 1935 in Flint, Michigan to Henry and Ina Klasner. Ina passed away when John was a young child and he was raised by his Aunt Ethel and Uncle Roy Funkey. John attended elementary and high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, Michigan. John went on to attend Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University where he graduated with degrees in geology and geophysics. He worked in mineral and oil exploration in the US and abroad in Canada, Africa, and the Middle East. John then became a geology professor and directed the honors program at Western Illinois University. He also was employed by the USGS in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin in field mapping and integration. John was a member of several professional organizations, including the Institute on Lake Superior Geology, and volunteered in multiple community service organizations (Rotary, Trout Unlimited). John was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Harvey, Michigan.
While living in Anchorage, Alaska, he met Gretchen Kolb and they married on November 21, 1964. John and Gretchen are the parents of Chris (Sherra) of Webster, N.Y., Fritz (Joy) of Hilo, Hawaii, Laura (Jason Shira) of Yakima, Wash., and Paul (Robin) of McCall, Idaho, and grandparents of Carson, Selene, Mia, Ina, Ella, Toby, and Sam. John is survived by three sisters, Judy, Barb, and Sue. A brother, Bill, preceded him in death.
John enjoyed the quiet moments of nature, sailing, canoeing, playing cribbage, fly fishing, and visiting the back roads, all of which he shared with family and friends. We will forever remember his curious mind, kind and generous soul, and a quick sense of humor. If you were lucky enough to be in his life, you were undoubtedly better for it.
The family gratefully appreciates the loving, compassionate care given John by the Brookridge staff the past 4 years and the recent care by UP Home Health and Hospice as he dealt with his limitations due to Parkinson’s disease.
A private service and interment of his ashes in the Klasner family plot in Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet, Michigan will be held at a later date, due to the corona virus.
The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral Home in Marquette is assisting the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.
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