Kermit Kalke, 1936-2016

Published 9:00 am Sunday, April 24, 2016

Funeral services for Kermit D. Kalke will be at 11 a.m. Monday at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Rev. Scott Williams will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, as well as one hour prior to the service on Monday. Interment will take place at St. Peter Cemetery. Bonnerup-Friedrich Funeral Home in New Richland is assisting the family.

Kermit Kalke

Kermit passed away surrounded by his family at his home on Thursday, April 21, 2016. He was 79.

Kermit Dean Kalke was born on Dec. 31, 1936, in Osage, Iowa, to Alvin and Clarice (Huset) Kalke. He was baptized in Iowa and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church of New Richland. Kermit graduated in 1955 from New Richland High School. He attended Mankato Commercial College for one year. Kermit served in the Army for six months of active duty and six years for the Army Reserves.

On April 26, 1959, he married Marie Erickson of Alden. They had three daughters in this marriage.

On Feb. 17, 1973, Kermit married LaVonne (Sorensen) Lund of Wells.

Kermit was in business with his dad, known as Kalke and Son Block and Tile and Kalke Sand and Gravel for many years. Later, he and LaVonne owned and operated Kalke Department Store. They also farmed for many years. Kermit drove a school bus and was a meat cutter for Wagners. He served on the church council, was a Sunday school teacher, served on the city council and was treasurer for New Richland Township.

Kermit had many interests. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards, going to Gophers basketball and football games, watching high school sports and going for walks with his dog, Riley. He enjoyed spending time in his wildlife area and having morning coffee with his friends, and he had a hobby of rock collecting. Most of all, he enjoyed moments together with his family.

He is survived by his wife, LaVonne, and their dog, Riley; children Nancy (Sally) Kalke of Minneapolis, Charlene (Tom) McDonnell of Buffalo, Minnesota, and Karen (Russell) Point of Buffalo; grandchildren Karin (Brandon) Bellomo, Philip Rossin, Jack McDonnell, Andy McDonnell, Kandace (Erik) Olson, Joe (Megan) Point and Erickson Point; stepchildren Sue (Michael) Plotz of New Richland and Rodney (Angela) Lund of Waseca; step-grandchildren, Adam (Mallory) Plotz, Nicole Plotz, Shane Halvorson, Nathan Lund and Noah Lund; a sister, Shirley Hite of New Richland; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

Kermit was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Clarice.

Kermit will be very sadly missed.