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Peter V. “Pete” Klinke

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Peter V. “Pete” Klinke

Birth	:	17 Jul 1920 Fortine, Lincoln County, Montana, USA
Death	:	21 Dec 2012 Eureka, Lincoln County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Tobacco Valley Cemetery, Eureka, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate	:	48.9052600, -115.1003850
Description	:	Peter V. Klinke Jr. passed away peacefully at Home Sweet Home in Eureka on Dec. 21, 2012. Family and friends were at his side. Pete was born July 17, 1920, in Fortine to Peter V. Klinke Sr. and Petronella (Zeller) Klinke. He had four older siblings, Louis, Thelma, Esther and Helen. He grew up in Fortine and Crystal Lake where his parents owned and operated the first fish hatchery in the Tobacco Valley area. Pete attended grade school in Fortine and graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka in 1937, then attended Eastern Washington University for one semester until his parents... Read More	Peter V. Klinke Jr. passed away peacefully at Home Sweet Home in Eureka on Dec. 21, 2012. Family and friends were at his side. Pete was born July 17, 1920, in Fortine to Peter V. Klinke Sr. and Petronella (Zeller) Klinke. He had four older siblings, Louis, Thelma, Esther and Helen. He grew up in Fortine and Crystal Lake where his parents owned and operated the first fish hatchery in the Tobacco Valley area. Pete attended grade school in Fortine and graduated from Lincoln County High School in Eureka in 1937, then attended Eastern Washington University for one semester until his parents were in an auto accident. He then returned home to help out at the fish hatchery. Pete spent summers on a Forest Service fire lookout until enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1941. He served as a turret gunner and flight engineer in Europe and North Africa during World War II. While on a mission over Italy, his B-26 bomber was hit by anti-aircraft and set on fire. The crew had to bail out over enemy territory. All survived and were hidden by an Italian family for a week, at which time the crew was put in contact with an American infantry patrol who took them to a safe area. He was always grateful to the Italian family for the risk they had taken for total strangers. He spoke of it often. Upon returning to the U.S., he was stationed at Fort Myers, Fla., as a gunnery instructor. Pete was very proud of his military service and spoke often of his many experiences. While on leave in 1943, he married June Scouten on Dec. 24. Upon his discharge in 1945, they returned to Eureka where his daughter Janis was born. In 1946, they moved to Libby where Pete served as a depot operator with the railroad for three years. They returned to Eureka in 1950 where he managed a grocery store for two years. During this time his son Craig was born. In the early 1950s, Pete went into partnership with his father in the Eureka Commercial, a dry goods and clothing store. After the Commercial was sold, Pete went into the Christmas tree business full time. Pete and his family developed land into a thriving Christmas tree business named Klinke's Christmas Trees. He also manufactured wooden Christmas tree stands that were shipped with the trees throughout the U.S. and Canada. The business operated a retail lot in Santa Barbara, Calif., for 20-plus years. Throughout his life he also found time to volunteer with the local ambulance and firefighter crews, serve on the school board, and hold offices with the state and national Christmas tree associations. After selling the Christmas tree business, Pete and June traveled extensively, including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, Portugal and New Zealand. He enjoyed fishing and made numerous trips to Alaska for some deep-sea fishing. Saddened by the loss of his wife of 50 years in 1995, Pete became an active member of VFW Post 6786. He was honored to be elected commander. Pete also took great pleasure in feeding and watching the many birds at his feeders and tending to his flowers and lawn, and especially having beers with friends. Pete boarded his last airplane flight a few months prior to his 90th birthday, flying to Australia to walk his granddaughter down the aisle at her wedding. Pete was preceded in death by his parents, Peter V. Sr. and Nellie; his wife, June; son, Craig Klinke; grandson, Damon Clark, brother, Louis Klinke, sisters, Thelma Mace, Esther Oertel and Helen Gilden; former son-in-law, Dan Neuman; and grandson-in-law, Mark Holder. Pete is survived by his daughter, Janis Neuman, of Eureka; granddaughter, Robyn, and Michael Large, of Perth, Australia; grandson, Derek Clark, of Eureka; stepgrandsons, Matt Neuman of Havre, and Bryan and Jessica Neuman of Missoula; stepgranddaughter, Karin, and Brett Woolard, of Aurora, Colo.; great-grandchildren, Ashlee, Kaden, Mikayla, Kassandra, Keegan, Madison, Ellia, Pressley and Sebastian; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Family and friends will miss him for the huge impact he had on their lives, his stories, and his offbeat sense of humor. A military memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at Tobacco Valley Cemetery. Arrangements were by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home of Libby and Eureka.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Peter V. “Pete” Klinke's memorial?
Peter V. “Pete” Klinke's memorial is located at: Tobacco Valley Cemetery, Eureka, Lincoln County, USA.
When did Peter V. “Pete” Klinke death?
Peter V. “Pete” Klinke death on 21 Dec 2012 in Eureka, Lincoln County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Peter V. “Pete” Klinke's memorial?
Latitude: 48.9052600
Longitude: -115.1003850

Family Members:

Parent

Peter Vigo “P. V.” Klinke Sr.

(1877 - 1969)

Petronella Sybilla “Nellie” Zeller Klinke

(1884 - 1968)

Spouse

June F Scouten Klinke

(1920 - 1995)

Siblings

Lewis Edward Klinke

(1902 - 1907)

Esther Norine Klinke Oertel

(1909 - 1996)

Helen Berenice Klinke Gilden

(1912 - 1999)

Children

Craig D Klinke

(1950 - 1973)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Tobacco Valley Cemetery
Eureka, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9052600, -115.1003850

2. Roosville Cemetery
Roosville, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0034200, -115.0523000

3. Pine Ridge Memorial Park and Cemetery
Fortine, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.7395840, -115.0119910

4. Fortine Cemetery
Fortine, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.7670550, -114.8930050

5. Boyd Cemetery
Libby, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.9543991, -115.6046982

6. Baynes Lake Cemetery
Baynes Lake, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2369900, -115.2106000

7. Frank Day home burial location
Trego, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.5841340, -114.9115700

8. Elko Cemetery
Elko, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2978200, -115.1353500

9. Sand Creek Cemetery
Jaffray, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3362250, -115.2909390

10. Hannah Robinson Gravesite
Morrissey, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3725000, -114.9913800

11. Morrissey Cemetery
Morrissey, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.3751030, -114.9941990

12. Sylvanite Cemetery
Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.7210000, -115.8745000

13. Saint Margaret's Cemetery
Fernie, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.4989900, -115.0550900

14. Fernie Cemetery
Fernie, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5002240, -115.0579050

15. East Fernie Cemetery
Fernie, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5018590, -115.0566640

16. Libby Cemetery
Libby, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.3893540, -115.5646380

17. Moyie Cemetery
Moyie, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.2743920, -115.8350350

18. Yahk Cemetery
Yahk, Central Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.0885510, -116.0776230

19. Winn Family Cemetery
Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.5488590, -115.9644710

20. Corbin Cemetery
Corbin, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5217700, -114.6785500

21. Troy Cemetery
Troy, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.4752330, -115.8992710

22. Milnor Lake Cemetery
Troy, Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.4181150, -115.8259500

23. Larchwood Cemetery
Lincoln County, USA
Coordinate: 48.4178009, -115.8257980

24. Hosmer Cemetery
Hosmer, East Kootenay Regional District, Canada
Coordinate: 49.5863580, -114.9565980