Romuald "Romie" N. Klimek

Romuald “Romie” Klimek, age 91 of Glenwood, MN died Sunday, May 10, 2026 at Glenwood Village Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, May 14th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood, with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating.  Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home in Glenwood, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 P.M. Visitation will resume on Thursday morning at the church beginning at 10:00 A.M. and running until the time of the service. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Alexandria.  Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood. 

Romuald “Romie” Nicholas Klimek, son of George and Ida (Thoennes) Klimek, was born on February 21, 1935, on his grandparents’ farm in Leaf Mountain Township near Urbank, MN. The second of six children, Romie grew up on a farm near Alexandria, which is the site of the current high school. He was raised in a home with a strong Catholic faith. He was baptized at Our Lady of Seven Dolars in Millerville and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria. Romie attended country school near Brandon through the first grade and then was enrolled at Alexandria, where he graduated from Alexandria High School in 1954.  

After high school, Romie worked for a couple of different farmers near Alexandria. It was during this time that he went on a blind date and met the love of his life, Arlene Betty Schjei. The two were united in marriage on October 30, 1956, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this coming fall. The early years of their marriage were spent on a rented farm a couple of miles north of Nelson. In 1963, they were able to purchase their forever farm a couple of miles north of Glenwood in Reno Township. It was there that they put down roots and raised their family, Kevin, Gerald and Barbara.

Romie and Arlene enjoyed traveling for a week or two during the winter months and during the summer between haying. Their travels took them to Germany, Costa Rica, Alaska, Hawaii and many other states in between. They especially enjoyed taking their eight grandchildren along when they were teenagers. Those trips included such fun destinations as Mexico and Disney World.

Romie was an avid bowler, and he participated in a league in Alexandria for many years. In his younger years, he was a club leader for the Lake Reno Ramblers 4-H club and in 1971, he was named Minnesota’s Outstanding Young Farmer by the Minnesota Jaycees. In 2013, he and Arlene were honored to be named Pope County Farm family of the year. He loved all his dairy cows and the land he grew crops on for 63 years in Reno Township. Romie was a perfectionist when it came to his yard. He took great pride in his lawn and trees and hated every weed! Likewise, he was very particular about his hair, and everyone close to him knew not to mess with his signature hair style!

Romie loved time spent with family and special family events like weddings, birthdays and holidays. He also enjoyed whist parties and casino trips with family and friends.

Romie is survived by his wife of 69 years, Arlene, and their two sons, Kevin (Connie) Klimek and Gerald (Denise) Klimek, all of Glenwood; two brothers, Jerry (Joyce) Klimek of Osakis and Richard (Shirley) Klimek of Garfield; one sister, Darlene (Kenneth) Johnson of Alexandria; sisters-in-law, Ardell Klimek and Avis Lorenz, both of Alexandria; son-in-law, Craig Peterson; grandchildren, Jason Klimek, Ryan (Vanessa) Klimek, Katie (Brian) Jenks, Jon (Jordan) Klimek, Alicia (Dustin) Arndt, Jacob (Carissa) Klimek, Mitchell Peterson and Morgan (Riley) Mitchell; 13 great-grandchildren, Jackson, Colton, Brooklyn Jenks, Oaklyn, Ryker Arndt, Calan, Leo, Tate Klimek, Carly, Bentley, Mya Klimek, Brynlee Klimek, and Dash Klimek; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife’s parents, Ole an Ella Schjei; two infant sons, Curtis in 1957 and LeRoy in 1958; his daughter, Barbara Peterson in 2015; his sister, Jean DeMartelare; his brother, Melvin Klimek; sisters-in-law, Ardis Schmidt, Karen Schjei, Doreen Schjei, and Judy Schjei; brothers-in-law, Hubert DeMarthelare, Irving Lorenz, Kenneth Schjei, Orvin Schjei, Orris Schjei and Clayton Schjei.

May God bless Romie’s memory.

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