Edwin Kluthe
December 13, 1923 ~ August 21, 2015
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Ed Kluthe, 91, of Miller, passed away peacefully Friday, August 21, 2015 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2015 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Miller with Father Chester Murtha, celebrant. Burial will military honors followed at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Miller. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, August 23, 2015 with a 7:00 p.m. prayer and rosary service, all at the church.
Edwin Casper Kluthe was born December 13, 1923 in Polo, South Dakota to Casper and Jennie (Schlechter) Kluthe. He was raised on a farm south of Polo and later in Miller. He graduated from Miller High School in 1942. Ed then attended college in Rapid City for a short time before being drafted in the U.S. Army. He was in Italy as a combat soldier with the 10th Mountain Division, 86th Infantry. He earned three battle stars for service in the Alpine Mountains, Po Valley, and Anzio Beachhead. He received a bronze star for his heroism near Rocco Roffeno, Italy. In 1945, Ed received an honorable discharge and returned home.
On August 7, 1950, he married Jeanne Heumiller and together they had four children. He worked as a bookkeeper for several businesses including McGinnis Plumbing, The Silver Grill, and Zeigler Motor Company. In 1965, Ed joined the First Bank (now known as Quoin Bank) and managed the Insurance Department for 20 years. In 1996, Ed married Carol Zeigler Spiers. After retiring from the bank, he worked at Miller Manor and made many friends there. Ed’s favorite pastime was spending time with his grandchildren.
His memory will be cherished by his four children: Barb Kluthe of Sioux Falls, Mary Stack of Sioux Falls, Mark Kluthe of Huron, and Peggy (Jerry) Heezen of Miller; three grandchildren: Christopher Heezen of Columbia, MO, Courtney Heezen of Miller, and Jacob Heezen of Miller; five step children: Linda (Greg) Holtz, Steve (Linda) Zeigler, Jean Zeigler, Judy Grunewaldt, and Ron Zeigler; several nieces and nephews: Mike (Judith Downs) Donovan, Mary Kay (Richard) Kettlewell, Brian (Donna) Seeman, Gary (Karen) Seeman, Jeanne (Aaron Jacobs) Dailey, Joni (Lynn) Havel, Pat (Mary) Dailey, Mike (Suzanne) Dailey, Tim (Vickie) Dailey, and Janice Dailey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Casper and Jennie Kluthe; his sisters: Hildegard Donovan, Louise Seeman Ulmer, and Mac Dailey Lammers; his wives, Jeanne Kluthe and Carol Zeigler Kluthe; and his niece, Colleen Donovan.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Ed’s arrangements.
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My sincere sympathy to the family of Ed Kluthe.
We were so sorry to hear about Ed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time.
Ed and my sister, Phyllis, dated for a while when I was in high school and they reconnected a few years ago when we were back in Miller and that brought on regular phone calls between them ever since. I remember Ed as being a "big brother" type to me – including the teasing and joking around. Whenever I was back in Miller visiting friends he would always ask about Phyllis and was very surprised the time she was actually there with me. I’ll remember his friendly ways and pleasant personality whenever I think of him.
Sending our thoughts and prayers to the family. He was a wonderful and funny man and will be dearly missed.
With deepest sympathy, Phyllis, Wendy and Family
Sincere sympathy to you and your family Barb. Keep those great memories alive. I know he’ll be sending you ‘reminders’ that he is still with you.
Sympathy to the families. Dad appreciated Ed’s friendship at Courtyard Villa this past year.