GENERATION K

The University is cemented in the Klocke family history

By Grace Brandt '13

Among the commemorative bricks on Alumni Plaza on the Alumni Plaza—which is located just under the Alumni Arch on campus—is the Klocke brick, which lists the names of Dr. Ronald Klocke, his wife Linda, and their children Keith, Steve, Dave and Chris. Yet this brick only scratches the surface of the Klocke family’s legacy at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Throughout the past 50 years, nine members of the family have attended the University. Ronald A. Klocke came to the University in 1966 as an assistant professor of sociology. During his tenure, he also worked as a business management professor, MBA coordinator and Associate Dean of the College of Graduate Studies before retiring in 2002. He helped design the cornerstone for the Wigley Administration Building, ordering the stone and picking it up in his 1976 Chevette. “It’s a great academic environment, and a great supportive environment,” he said. “With the amount of resources that Minnesota State Mankato receives, they do a good job in parceling it out, and they’re successful in the product that they produce.” Meanwhile, Ronald’s wife Linda earned her Masters of Science in counseling in 1976. She worked at the University’s Counseling Center for 10 years. “I really enjoyed the program,” Linda Klocke said. “The faculty were so well qualified, and if you had a problem, they worked with you individually. It was very comfortable, but also very stimulating.” The Klockes made use of many of the University’s resources, including the dental clinic and the Otto Recreation Center, and brought their four sons to games and theatre events. “All four of our kids had a sense of community and connection with Mankato, but particularly with the University,” Linda Klocke said. Keith Klocke was the first to attend, earning a degree in business in 1988 and returning for an engineering degree in 1997. “I was definitely happy with the education I received,” he said. “There was a 5-to1 student-teacher ratio [in engineering] so I could get all my questions answered right away. We could have more one-on-one discussions than some of the larger schools. The professors seemed like they were genuinely concerned about our education, to the point where they’d take extra time out of their day, even staying late to meet and help us understand a subject.” Keith’s younger brother Steve followed shortly after, studying management and graduating in 1989. Steve Klocke started his own business, IT Wholesaler, which has 110 employees between two locations. About a third of his current sales team graduated from Minnesota State Mankato. “The professors gave us insight from the market, from the real world,” Steve said. “My classes really gave me a nice groundwork for success at business.” Twin brothers Dave and Chris Klocke rounded out the sibling experience, both graduating with double majors in management and marketing in 1992. The next generation of Klockes have begun their own Minnesota State Mankato experience. Mary Klocke (Steve’s daughter) attended the University for two years before transferring to pursue a degree in veterinary science, while her sister Brittany Klocke graduated in December 2019 with a degree in finance. Meanwhile, Kyle Klocke (Chris’s son) plans to graduate in 2020 with a degree in mass communications. While every member of the Klocke family has had a different experience at the University, they all share a love for Minnesota State Mankato and a pride in such an enduring family legacy. “We might need to get another brick,” Steve Klocke added, “since I don’t think all the names can fit on the original one.” One of the most recent family grads, Brittany Klocke graduated in 2019. Kyle Klocke will graduate this fall.

1940s

LOIS (PETERSON) JOHNSON ’42, St. Paul, MN, taught school until her focus turned to her four daughters and a large vegetable garden. She stays active and maintains a positive outlook, which keep her going strong.

1950s

CALVERT BELDEN ’51, Robbinsdale, MN, is a retired American history teacher and track coach. WILLIS OSTREM ’56, Dousman, WI, retired in 1993 from the Illinois Masonic Hospital. He and his wife have been married for 65 years.

1960s

JANET JACOBSON ’61, Tucson, AZ, has embarked on a new career of making quilts and masks after working for the United States Government for 30 years. She enjoys traveling and has been to 103 countries and 47 states. CARROLL AUSTINSON ’65, Pine Island, MN, is a retired elementary school teacher. PAUL CARLSON ’67, Ransom Canyon, TX, is a professor emeritus with Texas Tech University. His 25th book, “Historic Tales of the Llano Estucado,” recently was published. STEVEN SCHLAKE ’69, Pullman, WA, retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy after 24 years of service. He also has retired after working as a computer engineer with Motorola, Inc. for 20 years. In addition to this, he has worked with youth groups. TOM WEINZIERI ’69, Waconia, MN, is a retired USAF and World Airways Pilot who is enjoying retirement with his wife in South Carolina.

1980s

SUSAN (WITMAN) ERICKSON ’80, St. Paul, MN, is a supervisor at Bridgeman’s in Woodbury, MN. MICHAEL PILKINGTON ’80, Euless, TX is a retired pilot who played hockey at Minnesota State Mankato from 19751979. He continues to enjoy flying, playing hockey and chasing his grandchildren. DOUG PARROTT ’85, Kansas City, MO, is the chief underwriting officer with Foresters Financial. He and his wife have adult triplets. RAYMOND VAN BRUNT ’86, Bonaire, GA, is a software engineer with ASET Partners. DEB (SMITH) HEISE ’88, Cumberland, WI, is a retired social worker who enjoys volunteering and working part-time. BECKY (CLAIRMENT) ZIEGLER ’89, Bismarck, ND, teaches at Bismarck State College and runs her own business. She continues to stay active through running, swimming, stretching and other various activities.

1990s

MARY ELLEN FILZEN GROSSMANN ’91, Minneapolis, MN, retired from 3M after working in several positions.

1970s

GARY SCHOLLA ’70, St. Francis, MN, began serving as a marine in South Vietnam shortly after he began his college career. He returned to Minnesota State Mankato and went on to graduate in 1970. He and his wife have two sons. LARRY WOLFF ’70, ’71, Edina, MN, is a professor at the University of Minnesota who received the 2018-19 Distinguished Teacher Graduate and Professional Teaching Award. GREG WAGNER ’77, Longmont, CO, retired after 35 years as probation officer and then the chief probation officer with Longmont Municipal Probation Department. His wife, WENDY (KANNE) WAGNER ’76, is a parish nurse. The couple has three adult children and six grandchildren. DALE ORTLOFF ’78, Hutchinson, MN, recently retired. He plans to play golf and enjoy warmer weather. MARK VANDERBOSCH ’79, Cocoa, FL, recently had his novel, “Karmic Punch,” published. Prior to his retirement he worked for several nonprofit organizations and in 2009 was awarded the Alumni Humanitarian Award.

2000s

ASHLEY (DAVIS) KERBER ’07, Chaska, MN, lives with her husband Matthew in Chaska. ANDREA (THORKELSON) MOEN ’08, Otsego, MN, works at Target Corporation in Human Resources Planning and Delivery. She will be featured in the 100 Years of Volunteers book by Hands On Twin Cities for her continued volunteer work in Minneapolis. MADELINE (BROWN) KROELLS ’09, La Crosse, WI, is the vice president of clinical operations with Driftless Recovery Services.

2010s

ARCHANA HUXLEY ’10, Verona , WI, is a career pathways coordinator with UW Hospital and Clinics in Madison, WI. Prior to this she taught English for four months in South Korea. ADAM YANKOWY ’16, Des Moines, IA, is an assistant professor of theatre at Drake University. KILEY LASSAHN ’17, Ellendale, MN, is a second-grade teacher at her childhood elementary school. She is working toward her master’s degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato. KATIE RUBITSCHUNG ’19, Coppell, TX, is a lab technician with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX.

1940s

Helen Lorrine (Andersen) Fohl ’40 Betty Jane (Wiltse) Maday ’41 Dorothy Adale Nord ’41 RE Andrew Rogness Een ’43 Patricia Elainne (Kelley) Howell ’43 Rita Katherine (Sullivan) Hessian ’46 Joyce Emily Ann (Vihlen) McNab ’47 Kathleen Rose (Cummiskey) Haws ’48

1950s

Carol Ann (Schulz) Mittelsteadt ’50 Ann Therese (Nolan) Donahue ’51 Lucille Bonevieve (Pierson) Nelson ’51 Joseph James Wiegel ’51 Marvis Jean (Heinemann) Canon ’52 Jane Ila (Miler) Douglas ’52 Gertrude Ann (Brown) Suel ’52 Donna Mae (Brolsma) Welsh ’52 David Dean Berger ’54, ’61 Carol Nadine (Miller) Harper ’54 Otto Gaylord Horwath ’54 Jerald R. Hinrichs ’55 Verna Esther (Koster) Kuhn ’55 Odean E. Berg ’56, ’66 Marguerite Louise (Stege) Boyne ’56, ’57 Carol Ellenora (Krause) Gahler ’56 Carmen Ann (Staloch) LaFrance ’56 John Alfred Lawrenz ’56 Mary Eileen (Kortuem) Buschkowsky ’57 Roger McBeth Field ’57, ’64 Clyde F. Kramer ’57 Donald Everett Moe ’57 Luella Ann (Piehl) Taylor ’57, ’71 Thomas Bernard Thielen ’57 Verna Marie Ziegenhagen ’58 Darlene Betty (Mausling) Ersland ’59 Myron Leonard Jordan ’59, ’65 William Lyle Klitzke ’59 Aldeen Burdette Underland ’59 Burdette Carl Wheaton ’59

1960s

Francis J. Berres ’60 James Charles Rima ’60 Mervin Leroy Sabolik ’60 Donald C. Thiesse ’60 Robert Paul Jette ’61, ’70 LeRoy Truman Storby ’61 Claude Willard Green ’62 Dennis Alfred Schmidt ’62 William W. Talley ’62, ’67, ’72 Peter Hartz Johnson ’63 William Lovell Olsen ’63 Thomas Richard Ranweiler ’63 Harold Arnold Schuchard ’63 Mylla Kay Urban ’63 Duane Rudolph Zaun ’63, ’70 Anne Marie (Meany) Huntley ’64 Jon Richard Jordahl ’64 Nancy Bell (Fiksdal) Linville ’64 Ada Florence (Stephenson) Lund ’64 John Thomas Powers ’64 Twilla Angella (Bieber) Schmidt

Peterson ’64 Douglas Charles Smith ’64 Gerald Allen Vanek ’64 Paul Joseph Baechler ’65 Elaine Elise (Neske) Christopher ’65 John Patrick Thamert ’65 James Richard Thompson ’65 Ronald Lee Vanek ’65 Eric John Bartleson ’66, ’69, ’75 John Henry Burns ’66, ’71, ’79 Merlin Nels Carl Christensen ’66 Phyllis Elaine (Olson) Koehler ’66 Anne Grace (Klingenberg) Nelson ’66 Fred Henry Squires ’66 John William Timmers ’66 James Lowell Wahlstrom ’66 Elizabeth Carol (Bevan) Eykyn ’67 Roxanne Mae (Strukel) Kavaloski ’67 Roger James Porter ’67, ’94 David H. Vigdal ’67 Melvin Arba Waller ’67 Dennis J. Zaun ’67 Robert Charles Dahl ’68 James Thomas Frost ’68, ’80 Paul Alan Gesche ’68 Harrington M. Hazel ’68 Curtis Alan Robinson ’68 James Arthur Rode ’68 ’74 Daryl Dean Schlei ’68 Margaret Carroll (Francis) Seifert ’68 John J. Shep ’68 David Clarke Swanson ’68 Karen (Klingberg) Busselman ’69 ’89 James A. Falck ’69 Diane Elizabeth Gorney ’69, ’79 Roger Keith Hove ’69, ’01 Norrine Audrey (Thompson) Jensen ’69 Jeffrey A. Keating ’69 Timothy Robert Kelley ’69

1970s

Jill A. (Klawitter) Peterson ’70, ’88 Norman W. Gullickson ’71 George Allen Headrick ’71, ’80 James W. Landkammer ’71 Alan Wayne Mason ’71 Robert Wayne Miller ’71 Daniel Mark Newton ’71 Lynn Robert Owen ’71 M. Norleen Rans ’71 Marlowe Frantz Christian Anderson ’72 Ardys E. (Petersen) Bartel ’72 Larry Dean Bicknase ’72 Arlene Mary Blank ’72

Mildred M. (Bittner) Deanovic ’72 Judith Ann Lundell ’72 Gene R. Aspengren ’73 Richard Harding Jorgensen ’73, ’78 Barbara Jayne (Walker) McDowell ’73 Berneda Etherial (Sorgatz) Smith ’73 Mary Ann Bishman ’74 Craig Steven Cain ’74 Patricia Mary (Winkler) Chvatal ’74 Loren Duane Fredin ’74 Kirsten Rachel Shelstad ’74 Ernest John Silbernagel ’74 Patricia Leslie (Coy) Skilbred ’74 Laurence LeRoy Martens ’75 Daniel John Nelson ’75 Trudy Ann (Westphal) Harper ’76 Kenneth Kronborg Jensen ’76 Edward Hans Petersen ’76 Vivian M. (Macho) Borak ’77 Mark John Buckentin ’77 Barbara Jean (Rockne) Clark ’77 Thea Mae (Holtan) Holtan ’77 Christine Ann (Jelen) Rogers ’77 Lorraine H. (Ziemer) Ziemer ’77 James Philip Egan ’78 Daniel Joel Lein ’78 Dennis A. Thorsen ’78 ’84 Charles Roy Warning ’78 Robert Dennis Burge ’79 Norma Ellen (Hatanpa) Cameron ’79 Richard Duane Murphy ’79 Glenn Orland Peterson ’79

1980s

Janet Jackline (Helm) Dempsey ’80 Marjorie Lee (Kaus) Jenkins ’80 Lois Jeanette (Enga) Krause ’80 Paulette Loy (Myers) Traver ’80 David Albert Brehm ’81 Sheila Joyce (Jacobson) Herke ’80, ’81 Arlene B. Myllymaki ’81 David Stanley Pearson ’81 Lawrence Stephen Wogensen ’81 John Erik Wik ’82 Louis George Wittrock ’84 Gail Jeannine Davison ’85 Anthony Charles James ’85 Jean Ann (Kenney) Sammon ’85 Holly Ann (Muller) Johnson ’86 Sara Vana Dunnington ’87 Dottie Jo (Jack) Anderson ’88 Kenneth John Chesney ’88 Michael Jay Croswell ’88 Jeffery Michael Giese ’88, ’96 Jennifer Grace Thompson Isaac ’88, ’90 Barry Clyde Trump ’88 Karen Ann Kemnitz ’89 Thomas James Ronholm ’89

1990s

Brad Leslie Haugum ’90 Brian Joseph Koepnick ’90 Scott Thomas Haugen ’91, ’98 Robin Jean Kelly ’91 Timothy Joel Agrimson ’92 Kent David Landor ’92 Constance B. (Czeck) Sheehan ’92 Mark Raymond Suel ’92 Megan Elizabeth (Blonigan)

Berglund ’94 Jeffrey L. Hedlund ’96 Helen Elaine (Wackher) Paulsen ’96, ’99 Patricia Gloria (Mathews) Siemens ’97

2000s

Adam Richard Worrell ’00 Christopher John Holm ’02 Beverly Jean (Anderson) Mueller ’02 Darlene Ingrid (Mattson) Anderson ’03 Jennifer Mary (Pattison) Lundeen ’04 Linda Rae (Dickhoff) Mellen ’05 Elizabeth Ann (Sugg) Brown ’07 Jenna Marie Simon ’14 Cole Tyler Turrittin ’14 Alex Nicholas Noben ’17

FACULTY & STAFF

Eric John Bartleson Vivian M. (Macho) Borak Roger Kellogg Coomes Andrew Rogness Een Alan B. Eke Mary Ann (Muller) Greenwald Jeffrey L. Hedlund Sheila Joyce (Jacobson) Herke Iver Henry Johnson Charles Robert Keal Geraldine A. (Broeren) Kline Margaret G. (Sandy) Lewellyn Rea Ching (Justad) Mingeva William B. Montag Howard Lee Prouse Robert J. Reutzel Leo A. Ruggle Burdette Carl Wheaton

FRIENDS

Phillip Henry Bachman Janet Marie (Heinze) Barry Shirley L. (Halbe) Higginbotham Randall Lee Herzog Bruce James Hesser Robert Boyd Layman Lyle Burton Olstad Jill Ann (Randen) Palmer Charles Edward Powers Jesse Joseph Tougas