Robert Francis Kluntz

Robert Francis Kluntz Sr., age 76 of Cleveland, passed away on Friday, November 13, 2020. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be at the Church of the Nativity in Cleveland. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Robert was born in Mankato, Minnesota to John and Frances (Nicholson) Kluntz on March 15, 1944.  He was the fifth of twelve children.  He graduated from Cleveland Public School in 1962.  Robert and his brother John T. were the 4^th generation to work the family farm, raising crops and cattle for many years.  In 1965, Robert married Mary Kay Meurer at St. Michael’s Catholic Church near Nicollet.  Residing on Lake Jefferson near the farm, they raised two sons.  Robert’s marriage to Mary Kay lasted until her death in 2005.

In 2007, Robert married Helen Matejcek in Cleveland.  They lived on Lake Jefferson for the remainder of Robert’s life.  Robert enjoyed having new step-children and step-grandchildren around him.

Robert loved his extended family. He particularly reveled in the Kluntz family 4^th of July parties that he and Mary Kay hosted.  He enjoyed tinkering on anything mechanical. Neighbors and friends knew to call upon him for help or to borrow a tool. Robert loved nature shows, John Wayne movies and any TV western shows.  Everyone knew not to interrupt him during Gunsmoke.

His favorite color was John Deere green.  Even in retirement, he drove his John Deere lawn tractor and his John Deere utility tractor with pride. He was always happy to clear his neighbors’ driveway of snow.   

Robert is survived by his wife, Helen Kluntz; children: Robert and Michele Kluntz, Thomas and Melody Kluntz; step-children: Susan and Denis Simonette, Vicki and Ervey Duron, Denise and Mark Perkins, Jeff Matejcek and Eric Joerg; 2 grandchildren: Alison and Jordyn; 1 grandson-in law: Dylan; 5 step-grandchildren: Nick, Tanner, Isabel, Sophie and Charlie; 2 great-grandchildren: Parker and Paige; 8 sisters, 1 brother, 6 brothers-in-law, 3 sisters-in-law, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Mary Kay; sister, Patricia; brother, John; 2 brothers-in-law and beloved dogs Abe and Max. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Mayo Clinic Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or the Church of the Nativity, Cleveland.