Carl Jr. Klitzke, age 88, died Thursday, June 18, 2015, at Grisell Memorial Hospital, Ransom, KS. He was born June 15, 1927 to Carl “Bud” and Reva (Holmes) Klitzke in Ness County Kansas.

He attended Ransom High School and joined the Navy his senior year. He married Vivian Horschem on Nov. 20, 1947, in Ransom. They lived on the farm until 1965 when he built Vivian her dream home in town. In 1989, they moved to Apache Junction, AZ, and later relocated to Sun City, AZ.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in World War II. He was a farmer and spent 25 years in public service as the mayor of Ransom and on the school board. He was also an electrician and proud business owner of Klitzke TV and Appliance store in Ransom.

Carl was an avid card player, reader and lifelong outdoorsman, and when he wasn’t found fishing or hunting, he enjoyed panning for gold. Other hobbies included collecting antique guns, Depression glass and jewelry making. He loved to make things grow and often gave neighbors a bucket of fruit.

He was passionate about sports and spent his life attending his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s games.

Survivors include his children Steve Klitzke, Hays, KS; Jeb Klitzke and wife, Anna Mae, Ransom, KS; and Taa Schwieterman and husband, Omer, Syracuse, KS. Grandchildren include Tara Goering, husband, Brandon and children Kyler Meyers, Blade and Sage Goering, Hays, KS; Jon Kuhn, Wichita, KS; Tally Ann Klitzke, McPherson, KS; Chandra Barron and her husband, Winniberto, Great Bend, KS; Carl Schwieterman and children Maya and Gunner, Overland Park, KS; Carl Bryce Klitzke, wife, Valerie and children Myra, Luke and newborn Samuel, Pratt, KS; and Seth Schwieterman, wife, Janae and child Boston, Overland Park, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 years, Vivian; his son, Jeff Klitzke and daughter-in-law, Elaine Klitzke.

Services will be held graveside at the Ransom Cemetery on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Carl Klitzke Memorial Fund at First State Bank of Ransom.