Obituary

Thomas (Tom) L. Klein, age 68, passed away at his home on April 2, 2021 in Goodyear, AZ, after a brief battle with ALS.

He was born on August 25th, 1952 to Herman and Tillie Klein. He was raised on the family farm near Wing, ND. Tom spent his adult life in Bismarck, ND spending the last eight winters with his wife, Sharon, in the Pebble Creek Retirement Community in Goodyear, AZ. He graduated from Wing High School in 1970 and attended college at Bismarck State and University of Mary, obtaining a degree in Business Administration. In 1979, he married Betty Sautner. Their daughter Crystal (Shivani) was born in 1983. For 38 years, he worked as a Fiscal Manager for West Central and Badlands Human Service Centers.

In 1997, he married Sharon (Renner) Engen. She was his constant companion for the last 24 years. Their love for each other was seen in their everyday actions. He adored his daughter and her children, Taven Sky, Leif, and Avah. He embraced his step-children, Kara Merrill and Ryan Tesky and their families.

Tom was a great man of integrity, patience and love of family. These qualities made him a friend of many. He was a lover of animals, outdoors, hunting, gardening, and pugs. He was an excellent cook, known for his grilling and smoking of meats. Tom’s love for the game of golf and his high skill level earned him the respect from all of the golf groups he played with in both Bismarck, ND and Pebble Creek retirement community in Goodyear, Arizona.

Sharon’s everlasting love and caring soul together with Shivani’s healing presence and guitar music allowed Tom to pass peacefully in his home. The world is a better place because of this great man, husband, father and friend. Tom’s memory will live in our hearts forever.

The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to special friends, Bob and Marilyn LeClair for their loving kindness, friendship, support, and devotion during his last days.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; daughter, Crystal/Shivani and her three children, Taven Sky, Leif, and Avah in Silver City, NM; step-daughter, Kara Merrill, her husband Courtland and their son Jack in Minneapolis, MN; grandson, Tanner Tesky in Bismarck, ND; brother and sister-in-law Terry and Bev Klein in Lincoln, ND; mother-in-law Ellen Renner in Beulah, ND; sister-in-law Carol Schafer in Edgewood, WA; brother/sister-in-law Gary and Lynell Renner in Zap, ND and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Tillie Klein; brothers-in-law, Ron Schafer and Bill Mindt; step-son, Ryan Tesky, sister-in-law, Joanne Mindt, and nephew, Jeff Schafer.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in Bismarck, ND.

Arrangements were made with the assistance of Thompson Funeral Chapel, in Goodyear, Arizona.