Andrew John Klein, 78, Sturgis, died Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the Rapid City Regional Hospital. Visitation will be noon until 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Rosary services will be 7 p.m. at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis on Wednesday evening.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Sturgis with Fr. Arnold Kari officiating. Burial with military honors by the Sturgis Veterans Honor Guard follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Andy was born May 14, 1931 at Shields, ND to Joseph and Lendena (Werlinger) Klein.

He started school in Belle Fourche and finished at the Web school in Newell. He helped on the family farm and worked for neighboring farms and ranches until he joined the US Army. Andy served in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1954. He returned to Newell and worked for the International Implement company and later the Butte County Irrigation District. He moved to Rapid City in 1961 and worked for Alto Armature Company as an auto electrician.

Andy married Eva Mary Kelsch at Rapid City, SD on June 18, 1966.

Andy worked at H & B Auto in Rapid City before moving to Newcastle, WY, where he managed a motel. They moved to Sturgis in 1975. Andy worked for Jacobsen Ford for two years. He worked for Bradley Porta Storage in the scale house. After Andy retired he worked at Qwikmart helping out wherever he could.

Andy was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish. He was a lay minister and altar server for many years.

Survivors include his brothers, Mike (Mabel) Klein, Vancouver, WA, Allen Klein, Temple, OK, Casmier (Rose) Klein, Bismark, ND, Ed (Virginia) Klein, Sturgis; sisters, Cecilia Keller, Piedmont, Mary (John) Erk, Newell, Regina McCoy, Browerville, MN; also numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Eva and one brother, Valentine Klein.