Fritz Kleinknecht

Fritz Kleinknecht, 82, of Callaway, Nebraska passed away on Monday, April 13, 2020 at CHI Health Good Samaritan in Kearney.

Fritz Kleinknecht was born to Paul and Freida (Fritz) Kleinknecht on April 9, 1938 in the outskirts of Cozad, NE. Sadly, his mother did not survive his birth. Fritz spent the first two and a half years of his life with his relatives, Theo and Dora Fritz. His father remarried and returned from Germany to raise Fritz with his stepmother Lina (Fritz), who raised him as one of her own.

He graduated from Cozad High School in 1956. Out of high school, he joined the Army Reserves but never saw action. He married his sweetheart, Clarice Wood on October 22, 1961.

Fritz and Clarice farmed the land, raised livestock, and milked cows for many years. He loved farming and spending time with his family, tending to his roses, fishing, dancing, and watching Nebraska Cornhusker football.

Survivors include his children, Clayton (Kanda) Kleinknecht of Cozad, NE, Kevin Kleinknecht of Callaway, NE, Lisa Lutz of Callaway, NE, and Kurt (Liisa) Kleinknecht of Piedmont, OK; his sister, Mary (Butch) Lamirato of Denver, CO, and brother-in-law, Gifford Massey Jr. of Gothenburg, NE. Fritz is also survived by his ten grandchildren (Tyler, Tess, Chancey, Kyle, Jaden, Karleigh, Carigan, Kaitlyn, Karoline, and Rudolf) and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Clarice; an infant son, his mother, Frieda; father, Paul; stepmother, Lina; and siblings: Darlene, Walter, Ruth, and an infant brother.

A Graveside Service will Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Cozad Cemetery with Ken Pitkin, officiating.

Timm-Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Callaway is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences with the family by visiting: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com