KLINGSPORN, Carl "Blaine" 1927-2008

KLINGSPORN SPRIESTERSBACH, JASS, JOCHIMS

Posted By: K. L. Kittleson
Date: 3/12/2008 at 17:58:44

Carl Blaine Klingsporn, age 80, of Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa, and formerly of Mountain Lake, Minnesota, died on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, Iowa.

A funeral service was held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Mountain Lake on Friday, February 15, 2008. Interment followed the service in the Mountain Lake Cemetery, with Military Honors provided by Mountain Lake American Legion Post #389.

Carl Blaine Klingsporn, always known as Blaine, was born in Pine Island, Minnesota, on October 4, 1927 to Carl and Madge (Spriestersbach) Klingsporn. He had one sister, Doris, and they were raised on the family farm until 1937, when they moved to town.

Blaine was baptized on February 19, 1928, and on May 25, 1952 he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and became a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mountain Lake, Minnesota.

Blaine graduated from Pine Island High School in 1945 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After his stint in the Navy, Blaine attended Rochester Junior College, where he played football, and from there he went on to Mankato Teacher's College and graduated in 1951.

In the fall of 1951 Blaine joined the staff at Mountain Lake High School as a science teacher and assistant football coach. He taught science, biology, and social studies, and also had the privilege of coaching football under the leadership of Burt Munson until 1955, when he became head football coach. His coaching career continued through 1972, and during his 18 years as head coach, the Orange and Black gridders amassed a 77-64-2 record and finished as Seven Star Conference champions six times - 1959, 1961, 1964, 1967, 1969 and 1970. Blaine filled the athletic director position from 1971 until his retirement in 1985.

When Blaine arrived in Mountain Lake he met the high school secretary, Lucille Jass, and the couple married on May 10, 1952. They became the parents of two children, Carol and Keith. The couple were devoted parents and stayed busy with Carol and Keith's activities, family trips, and maintaining friendships far and wide. Blaine and Keith spent a lot of time together hunting and fishing as they shared their mutual love of the great outdoors.

Blaine's wife, Lucille, passed away on December 22, 1978.

Blaine married Margaret Jochims on July 31, 1982, and the Klingsporn family grew to include her six children. Blaine found great joy in his family of eight and all their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren. After their marriage he continued to teach at MLHS until his retirement in 1985. In retirement, Blaine and Margaret made the rounds visiting their children and spent the winters at Fiesta Village in Mission, Texas. They thoroughly enjoyed their time in Texas and all their wonderful winter friends.

Even after retirement, Blaine stayed connected to MLHS through substitute teaching and managing conscessions at all the home Laker, and later Wolverine, athletic events. He was well-known for his popcorn! He also volunteered at an elementary school during some of the winters in Texas.

Blaine was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1996, and in 1997 Blaine and Margaret moved to a condo in Worthington, MN, where they lived until 2003 when they moved to Osage, IA. Blaine had been a resident at Faith Lutheran Nursing Home since 2004. Blaine passed away on Saturday, February 9, 2008 under the guidance of Hospice care at Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, IA, surrounded by his family. He was 80 years of age.

Blaine is survived by his wife, Margaret of Osage; a daughter, Carol (Charles) Lehman of Mountain Lake; a daughter-in-law, Trish Klingsporn of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; 7 grandchildren, Matthew (Jennie) Klassen of Burnsville, Minn., Michelle (Charles) Savoia of Missoula, Mont., Meggan Klassen of Missoula, Mitchell Klassen of Missoula, Kari (Brent) Hitterdal of Moorhead, Minn., Katie (Eric) Lundmark of Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Nicole (Tony) Schmitz of Detroit Lakes; 10 great-grandchildren; two nieces, Patti Taylor and Roberta Munson, both of Portland, Ore.; and Margaret's children, Linda (Pat) Doman of Mendota Heights, Minn., Richard (Pat) Fechter of Byron, Minn., Janet (Scott) Otis of West Des Moines, Iowa, Laura (Joseph) Gagnon of St. Paul, Minn., Deanne (Scott) Bauserman of Osage, and David (Cathy) Jochims of Hartley, Iowa; 20 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lucille; a son, Dr. Keith Klingsporn; and a sister & brother-in-law, Doris and Leonard Taylor.

Arrangements were made by Bjerum Funeral Home in Mountain Lake, Minnesota.