Gordon Kluksdahl

Gordon Kluksdahl passed away in Billings, Montana on July 17, 2008 after a long and hard battle against omplications following heart by-pass surgery. He was 82 years old, and lived a full and contented life. His wife of over 55 years, Donna, and his five children were with him at his time of passing.

He was born on December 1, 1925 at the Kluksdahl family homestead near Buffalo, South Dakota. Gordon was the fifth of eight children. He attended 1st grade at Cameron County School near Buffalo, South Dakota (1931-1932). In 1932, and after the death of his mother, the younger children were sent to various friends and relatives. Gordon Eventually went to Edwin and Ida Johnson's farm near Crooks, South Dakota. The Johnsons later became his foster parents. He lived at the farm for seven years (1933-40), and attended grades three through eight at the Excelsior (Trobak) School. He returned to Buffalo where he graduated from high school in 1944.

He joined the US Army in 1945 and attained the rank of coporal in the Cannon Company, 19th Infantry Division, and was in the Army of Occupation in Japan immediately following the conclusion of World War II. He returned to the USA and in 1947 started college at Black Hills State Teachers College in Spearfish, South Dakota. he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Education.

In the fall of 1950 he started teaching 7th grade in Bridger, Montana, but after only three weeks was called back into the service for the Korean Conflict. He served as a corporal in the Rifle Brigade, 77th Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. After his discharge in the fall of 1951, he taught the second semester as a 7th grade teacher in Greybull, Wyoming.

He married Donna Delores Dennis, (whom he met while attending college in Spearfish), on August 17, 1952 in Miles City, Montana. He returned to Bridger in the fall of 1952 as a 7th grade teacher, and a coach of 7th and 8th grade boy's basketball. During his eight years in Bridger he became a high school social studies teacher, high school principal, and a superintendent of schools. During intervening summers, he worked on his post-graduate program at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, and in 1956 he received is Master of Arts degree in Elementary Supervision.

While in Bridger, four children were born: Gary John (1953), Dennis Lee (1954), and Karen Ann and Ken Allen (twins-1957). In 1960 the family moved to Powell, Wyoming. A fifth child, Mark David, was born in 1963. While in Powell, Gordon initially taught 6th grade. Later on he taught 4th grade and 6th grade math, as well as holding positions of building principal, elementary principal, and assistant superintendent. During his career he held every position in the school system from elementary teacher to superintendent, and served on almost every committee pertaining to the education system. He retired in 1984. He made his home in Powell continuously from 1960 until the present.

His career in education generally afforded him the opportunity to take summers off, which he spent working in construction or other activities. He worked on the Hungry Horse Dam Project in northwestern Montana. He worked in a local apiary while in Bridger. In later years, he spent many summers working for Charlie Kirkham, building a number of commercial and residential structures in and around Powell. He also served his community as a city councilman for 12 years (1977-1988) in Powell.

After retirement he occasionally substituted in the Powell school system. However, he spent most of his time doing the things he loved - camping, fishing, trailer life, and other outdoors activities. He loved family and grandchidlren and working with children generally. He enjoyed traveling,and he and Donna toured most of the states, and traveled extensively abroad.

He was a member of the Golden Eagle Masonic Lodge #66 in Bridger, and maintained his membership there until he passed away. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Al Bedoo Shrine in Billings. He was a member of the Elks BPO Lodge #2303, American Legion Post #26, the Eagles Lodge #2426, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church, all in Powell.

Gordon was preceded in death by his father, Ole John Kluksdahl (1883-1952); his mother, Anna Marie (Myrmoe) Kluksdahl (1893-1932); siblings Helen Kluksdahl Kirkeby (1918-94), Mary Kluksdahl Anderson (1920-94), Oscar Kluksdahl(1922-96), Marvin Kluksdahl (1923-2002), Owen Kluksdahl (1928-78), and Paul Jerome Kluksdahl (infant-1932). He was also preceded in death by his foster parents and one grandson.

He is survived by his wife Donna, his 5 children and their spouses, 11 grandchildren, 4 great granddaughters, one great grandson, and his sister Amy Kluksdahl.

The body has been cremated, and a memorial service will be held in Powell at the First United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2008. In lieu of flowers or other tributes, the family requests that donations be made to the Al Bedoo Shrine, 1125 Broadwater Avenue, Billings, Montana 59102, or a charity of choice in Gordon's memory.