Obituary of Charles Kleiner

Charles "Chuck" Kleiner, 73, died in St. Luke's Hospice on May 7, 2017 after a long battle with dementia. Chuck was born at home in Galloway Township, New Jersey to Mabel and Albert Kleiner. Chuck lost his mother when he was eight and his father when he was thirteen. He was then raised primarily by his sister, Martha and other relatives within a close-knit German community. During his growing up years Chuck learned through 4H to love farming and gardening and was introduced to his first John Deere tractor. His love of John Deere tractors commanded a significant amount of his attention throughout his life. During the Vietnam era Chuck served in the Air Force which brought him to Duluth where he married Barbara Thomson. They later divorced. Together they had one daughter, Laurie, whom he loved dearly. Chuck graduated from UMD with a degree in the biological sciences. He later attended graduate school in Alaska where he studied fisheries science. He worked for 35 years for the Duluth branch of the Environmental Protection Agency where he conducted research studies on pesticides and herbicides. He retired in 2000. In 1982 he and Carolyn Kueny met and began a life-long love affair. They married in 1990, sharing 35 years together. They enjoyed their small farm that had many cows, dogs, chickens, and gardens. They enjoyed fishing and going on long trips together with no particular destination. Nobody ever said Chuck was boring. He was highly intelligent, insightful, often contrary, compassionate and kind, and more often than not, he was right. He loved his dog Rug, insects, plants and everything natural. He lived with the heart of a child. He was a friend of Bill W. for more than 45 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Albert "Sonny" Kleiner, and sister Ann Kleiner. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, daughter Laurie (Ashot) Geodakov, step-daughters Carrie Lane, Mary (Bill) Gretsinger, and Teresa Lane (Tim) Casper, and a special granddaughter Casiana Lane with whom he shared a close bond and who contributed a great deal of loving care to him during his illness. Grandchildren Ryan Lane, Daniel Lane, Redmond Gretsinger, Gordy Gretsinger, Katya Geodakov, Colten Casper and Sonja Geodakov warmed his heart. He is also survived by his sister Martha and sister-in-law Carol Kleiner who was a beacon of light in his life. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews all of whom he considered close family. A memorial service to celebrate Chuck's life will be held at 4 pm on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Peace United Church of Christ, 1111 N 11th Ave E, Duluth, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Duluth Honor Guard. A potluck dinner will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Animal Shelter Benefit Fund, City of Duluth Animal Shelter, 2627 Courtland St. Duluth, MN 55806.