Obituary of Jurgen Roland Klemm

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jurgen Roland Klemm announce his peaceful passing on October 27, 2023, at home with his loving family by his side.  Jurgen was born on February 19^th, 1950 in Chemnitz, East Germany. Jurgen, with his parents, Inge (Arnold) and Roland Klemm, immigrated to Canada in 1959 when he was 9 years old and they resided in Calgary Alberta.  Jurgen and Judy met when they were 14 years old and he married the love of his life 5 years later in 1969.

 

Jurgen was always a hard worker and willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it.  At 16 years old he wrote the entrance exam for the Plumber Apprenticeship and passed with flying colors!  At 21 he completed his apprenticeship and was awarded his plumbing ticket as the 2^nd youngest person in Alberta to do so, at that time.

 

In 1975, Jurgen started working at Cominco in Kimberley, BC, where he worked for 16 years.  He retired from Skookumchuk Pulp Mill on January 16, 2010 after 20 years of service.  He loved the Cranbrook area and was thankful to have settled here with his family.

 

Jurgen was a “jack of all trades”, completely renovating our family home several times over 45 years and he took pride in always completing the work himself.  He was a plumber/ pipe fitter/ gas fitter by trade but an “un-ticketed” electrician, carpenter, mechanic, landscaper, roofer….. the list goes on.  If he could do it himself, he did!

 

Jurgen loved spending time with family and friends. He was always up for a game of cards with good friends.  He enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping, gardening, quadding and a good poker game with his buddies. Judy and Jurgen cherish the memories of their travels with family and friends.  He proudly watched every hockey game, as he followed Jon’s career and was always Tara’s biggest cheerleader. Jurgen let it be known how proud he was of his kids and grandkids.

 

He was predeceased by his parents Inge and Erich Jaeck, Roland Klemm; and in-laws Marie and Blair Hall.

 

Jurgen is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judy; son Jon; daughter Tara (Erik); grandchildren Kaylee, Lindsay (Tim), Joselyn, Jared, Declan, Kyle and Nicholas; sister Janis (Greg); sisters-in-law Diana (Brian), Cindy (Bill); brother-in-law Dennis (Lorena); nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog Harley.

 

We love you and we will all miss you every day

‘Til we meet again

 

Jurgen’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Kevin McIver and to all the staff in ambulatory care at EKRH.

 

There will be no funeral service.  As per Jurgen’s request, a celebration of life will take place at a later date.