Daniel Klein

Daniel James Klein, 66, Bismarck, died suddenly August 16, 2008, doing what he loved best-playing golf. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday at Church of the Ascension, 1825 S. 3rd St., with Rev. Marvin Klemmer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until 9:00 pm Tuesday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with vigil services beginning at 7:00 pm. A long-time teacher in the Bismarck Public Schools system, Dan will be missed intensely by his parents, wife, son, three brothers, many relatives and friends, and the thousands of students whose lives he touched. Dan was born August 3, 1942, to Daniel and Katie Gabriel Klein of Zeeland, ND, and grew up on a farm north of Zeeland in south central North Dakota. He was an incredibly hard worker and learned many skills on the farm, including an uncanny knack for fixing machinery and repairing buildings. He graduated in 1960 from Zeeland High School, where he was a salutatorian and excelled in football and baseball. He attended the University of North Dakota, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He later earned a master’s degree in chemistry from North Dakota State University. In 1965, Dan married Pat Wolf of Hague, ND, and together they raised two sons, Steve and Greg. Early in his career, Dan held teaching jobs in Strasburg, ND, and Oakes, ND. In 1971, he took a job at Bismarck High School, where he spent the next 30 years teaching primarily chemistry and summer biology. Late in his career, he taught chemistry for several years at Century High School. With his booming voice and boundless energy, Dan was a dynamic and dedicated instructor. He meticulously planned his lectures each evening and delivered them with great gusto the next day. He inspired many students to pursue careers in chemistry, engineering, medicine and math, and many of those students stayed in touch with Dan long after they graduated. Dan also was a loving husband and father. He worked night jobs unloading freight in the 1970s, enabling him to take his family on wonderful vacations to the Rocky Mountains, Rhode Island and Los Angeles. Dan loved going to movies with his wife, eating dinner with his parents, skiing with his many friends, and rooting for his beloved New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers. He was particularly passionate about golf, which he played almost every day when the weather was nice. Dan was a devoted member of the Elks Club in Bismarck, where he spent many relaxing afternoons and evenings and was involved in many charity events, including operating a burger grill at the annual McQuade Softball Tournament. He spent considerable time at the Klein family farm working on a multitude of renovation projects. Dan’s faith also was very important to him. He attended Mass almost every day and found comfort and support through prayer. Dan is survived by his wife, Pat Klein of Bismarck, ND; his son, Steve Lisa Klein of Eatontown, NJ; his parents, Dan and Katie Klein of Bismarck, ND; his three brothers, Bob Cheryl Klein of Fargo, ND, Jerry Bev Klein of Fessenden, ND and Al Cathy Klein of Elwood, IN; his sister-in-law, Joan Om Srivastava of Whitehouse Station, NJ, and his brother-in-law, Denis Sandy Wolf of Houston, TX. He was preceded in death by his son, Greg Klein; his sister, Brenda Klein; his nephew, Rob Klein; his father-in-law, Fritz Wolf, and his mother-in-law, Chris Wolf. In Dan’s honor, memorials may be given to the Ruth Meiers Hospitality House.

Daniel Klein

August 3, 1942 - August 16, 2008