Chanis Klontz

Chanis Mary Klontz, 96, Fargo, ND passed away on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Rosewood on Broadway in Fargo. She was born on August 3, 1918 in Grand Forks, ND to Ernest Edgar and Mary Ann (Schornack) Lackey. Attended St. Michael’s Catholic School in Grand Forks, and schools in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She graduated from Fargo Central High School in the January 1938 class, and Interstate Business College in Fargo. She also attended North Dakota State University, and Moorhead State (College) University. Chanis was employed as an assistant manager at J. J Newberry in Fargo until she began work at the Great (Burlington) Northern Railway in 1946 where her versatility allowed her to work multiple positions. She retired as a Claims Agent at the Great Northern in 1976. She met her late husband, Lloyd F. Klontz, in 1946 at the Great Northern when he returned from the U. S. Army’s Occupation Forces in Japan. She was working his job, which he reclaimed, and they started dating shortly thereafter. Chanis and Lloyd were united in marriage in Fargo at St Mary’s Cathedral on September 6, 1946 and remained married until his passing in December 1989. Chanis volunteered at the YWCA, and was on the YWCA Board where she helped start the YWCA consignment shop. She was a volunteer at Meals on Wheels, Meritcare (Sanford) Hospital. She was also a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul (St. Francis) where she managed the Thrift Shop, and counseled many indigent clients. Chanis liked to shop, play cards, especially Bridge, through which she found and maintained many life-long friends. Chanis liked to help others, and was always ready to do what she could for them. Chanis also liked to travel, and was always ready to go – far or near. She particularly enjoyed her foreign travels to Hong Kong and Europe when her son and family were stationed in the United Kingdom working for the U. S. Navy, and other locations when her son and family moved throughout the U. S. It must be reiterated that Chanis really loved to shop, especially on her overseas trips. Chanis had the title of “World Class Shopper”. Chanis had three half-sisters, and three half-brothers from her father’s first marriage who were a generation older than she, all of whom pre-deceased her. She had a half-sister, Letha Louise (Lackey) Opperud, with whom she was raised, and also pre-deceased her. Chanis’ was also pre-deceased by her husband, Lloyd, both parents as well as her step-fathers Daniel McTier and John V. Anderson, and daughter-in-law, Anne Spitzer Klontz. Chanis is survived by her son, Donald, Bowie, MD, granddaughter, Emily (Joseph) Hickman, Odenton, MD, grandson Matthew, Bowie, MD, and a multitude of cousins, grandnieces, grandnephews, and many friends throughout the country. There will be a visitation from 5-7:00 P.M. with a prayer service following at 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 21, 2015 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. The funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Monday, June 22, 2015 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo with a visitation one hour prior. Memorials preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Rosewood on Broadway, or a charity of the donor’s choice.