Ronald Eugene Klotz
Ronald Eugene Klotz, 71, passed away on the 31st day of March, 2010 at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point, Montana surrounded by family and friends. Ron was born May 6th, 1938 in Emporia, Kansas to Margaret Mary Beale and Lyle Linden Klotz. Until age 9, Ron lived in Kansas with his Aunt Jenny and Uncle Charles at which time his father returned from overseas to move Ron and his sister Arthea Klotz Koplin to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Ron made his home.
In 1982 Ron travelled to Los Lunas, New Mexico to build a Smith’s Grocery Store. There he met the love of his life, best friend and soul mate Patricia Darlene Bauer. They were married in August of 1982 in the family restaurant that Patricia owned, and Ron helped manage for the next few years. At the beginning of this marriage Ron lovingly received Patricia’s six children: Teri, Jeff, Ken, Wade, Tim, his baby girl Tonya, and two grandchildren, Kara and Travis, as his own.
Through 1984 to 1986, Ron and Patricia moved frequently because of Ron’s construction occupation. In 1986, Ron and his family moved to Montana to work with their son, Ken Todd, at K T Construction, a family operated and owned company. In 1990, Ron and Patricia relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they spent three years before finally returning to Wolf Point to make it their life long home.
Ron and Patricia owned and operated PDK Construction Company for many years on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Ron worked for the Fort Peck Housing Authority in Poplar building and rehabilitating homes, and until January of this year, he worked as a Construction Supervisor and Building Inspector for the Fort Peck Housing Authority.
Ron enjoyed spending time with his family. He loved fishing with his wife and grandchildren, gold panning and camping. Ron also enjoyed hanging out at the casino with the “guys” and doing his leatherwork. He also liked to cook, BBQ, and make Christmas candy and cookies for everyone.
Ron is preceded in death by his Mother, Margaret Mary Beale, Father, Lyle Linden Klotz, Brother, Charles, Son, Ken E. Todd Sr., Son-In-Law, Larry Long Sr., and Brother-In-Law, Sam Bauer.
Ron is survived by his wife, Pat of Wolf Point, daughters Teri Long of Nashua, and Tonya Thomas of the family home. Sons, Jeff Todd of Oswego, Wade Todd of Minnesota, and Tim Todd of Wolf Point. Grandchildren, Travis Long, Patti Long (Sibley), Kelsey Long, Kara Todd (Iwen), Ken Todd Jr., Kendra Todd, Josh Todd, Justin Todd, Jacob Todd, Elijiah Todd, Jacquelyne Todd, David Todd, Rochelle Todd, Quanah Todd, Chasitee Reynolds, Michael Reynolds, Jeffrey Thomas, Cobin Thomas and numerous great-grandchildren.
Ron is also survived by his sister, Arthea Klotz Koplin and her family of Salt Lake City, Utah and Aunt Ozetta Lind and Uncle Ralph Arnold Klotz of Emporia, Kansas and adopted daughter Lois Lilley of Wolf Point.
Visitation is 2 – 7 p.m. with a service at 7p.m. at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel on April 2nd, 2010. Funeral services will take place 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon April 3rd, 2010 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel with reception to follow at Oswego Community Hall.
Donations may be given to the family for Ron’s care.
Condolences may be sent to the Klotz family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.