Robert Leroy Kluender

Robert L. Kluender, age 88, of Albert Lea passed away suddenly on February 20, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin MN.

Robert was born on November 28, 1936 to Samuel and Lilah Kluender. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1954. He married Joanne Hoyt on September 10, 1958 and together they raised two children, Lori and Todd, on a farm near Myrtle for 58 years. They moved to Albert Lea in 2017. Robert farmed near Myrtle and worked at Interstate Power Company in the Gas Department of Albert Lea for 35 years.

He was the neighborhood welder and handyman, an avid walker, professional lawn mower, tended the biggest garden in the county, member of the Myrtle Fire Department, neighborhood haylofts swather, and a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church serving on the church council for several years.

Robert is Survived by his wife Joanne Kluender; daughter Lori (Gary) Klingson; son Todd (Becky) Kluender; grandchildren Tyler (Miranda) Klingson, Luke (Sara) Klingson, Jenna Bauers (Lawrence Olson), Josh Kluender, Lacy Wright, Andrew Kluender, Jocelyn Kluender; special friend Hayden Olson; great grandchildren Presley and Shay Klingson, Sophia, Camdon, and Calvin Nelson, Clay Bauers, Haven Olson, Clair Kluender; sister Connie Haroldson; sisters-in-law Yvonne (Larry) Hartzler and Marvelyn Hoyt; niece Darcy Hall (Richard Beck); nephew Dacia (Eric) Bottelson; grand nephew Trevor Hall (Hannah Ausenhus); and grandnieces Sophie and Claire Bottelson.

He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Lilah Kluemper; in-laws Virgil and Iva Hoyt; and brothers-in-law Bennett Haroldson and Bill Hoyt.

The funeral honoring Robert will be Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10AM preceded with a visitation at 9AM. Both will be held at Bayview Funeral Home followed by lunch.