Sylvester Edward Klinicke

Sylvester E. Klinicke, age 79 of Grafton, ND passed away of natural causes on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at his home in Grafton.

Sylvester Edward Klinicke, Jr. was born September 18, 1941 in Drayton, ND, the son of the late Sylvester and Mary (Grzadzielewski) Klinicke.  He graduated from Grafton High School and the University of North Dakota with a B.S. in Education.  He taught Social Studies in East Grand Forks, MN until moving to Colorado.  He graduated from the University of Denver with a Masters in Library Science.  He moved to California and was the Head Librarian for Los Angeles County; building libraries, finding employees, books and equipment.  He began working for the University of California, Irvine where he managed and researched rare books.  After his retirement he moved back to Grafton.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He was the Chief Negotiator for the California Educators Association and was a board member for the Grafton High School Alumni Association.  He wrote family genealogy books and a book about the History of Orange County, in which he won an Outstanding Author Award.  He enjoyed playing bingo and cards and was the family historian.  Sylvester loved people and spending time with them, he had a big heart.

Sylvester is survived by his siblings:  Theresa Rudnick, Fergus Falls, MN; Donna Nygard, Sioux Falls, SD; Mary Brown, Oklahoma City, OK; Gerald (Marnell) Klinicke, Torrance, CA; Hilary Klinicke, Moorhead, MN; John (Ruth) Klinicke, Buena Park, CA; sister-in-law Helen Klinicke, Nipomo, CA.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Marcene Burtt and Loretta Orstad and brother, Louis Klinicke.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10:30 AM at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church of Grafton.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at the St. Edward's Cemetery of Drayton, ND.