"My sincere sympathy, prayers and hugs to a wonderful family. Today was such a beautiful celebration of her life. You all did an amazing job sharing what a wonderful person she was. May her memories bring so much happiness. I still cherish the memory of her running out in the parade Carm and I were in, after our return from Iraq. She was such a proud and happy mama. Cutest thing ever. Kathy M. "
In loving memory of
Gerardene "Gerri" E. Klimek
March 6, 1955 - January 8, 2022
Gerardene "Gerri" E. Klimek, age 66 of Little Falls, passed away on January 8th, 2022 at St. Gabriel's Hospital with her loving family by her side. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday, January 15th at 11:30 A.M. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Fr. Joe Herzing officiating. The burial will be held in the parish cemetery following the service. A visitation will be held from 3:00-8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 14th at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Home in Little Falls and from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of service at the church on Saturday, January 15th. The Christian Mothers will lead the Pro-Life Rosary at 3:00 P.M. on Friday at the funeral home.
The Service will be livestreamed through the Little Falls Catholic YouTube Page. There you will find a link for the funeral Mass for Gerri Klimek.
Gerri was born on March 6th, 1955 in Little Falls to Paul and Lucy (Pauser) Virnig, the youngest of seven children. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School and graduated from St. Francis Catholic High School in 1973. After graduating from high school, she attended St. Cloud Technical College receiving her LPN degree and began her nursing career at St. Gabriel's Hospital where she worked on the Medical Surgical Floor for many years. She married the love of her life, Ernest "Ernie" Klimek on October 4th, 1975, The Feast of St. Francis, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls where she was a lifelong member. Together the couple raised their four children. She pursued further education at Brainerd Community College and St. Scholastica, where she received her RN degree while raising her children and working. Other areas of her career included working as an Occupational Health Nurse and in Risk Case Management at St. Gabriel's Hospital. For five years she also worked for RTW (Workman's Comp Company) in Baxter. Upon returning to St. Gabriel's Hospital, she worked as a Home Care/Hospice Nurse that allowed her to comfort the terminally ill and their families. She truly was a gifted Servant of God! This completed her 40 year nursing career and she retired in 2014. While the family was young, she did sewing, macrame, and also did some traveling. Places they traveled included Florida, Dolly Wood in Pigeon Forge, TN, The Black Hills, The Grotto of The Redemption in West Bend, IA, Field of Dreams in Dyersville, IA, Washington, and Oregon. Gerri also went on many pilgrimages with her faith community. Her biggest dream was to be able to see a Pope. She attended World Youth Day in 1993 to Denver, CO to see Pope John Paul II whom she greatly admired; Franciscan Pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy in 2001; World Youth Day in 2016 to Krakow, Poland to visit the birthplace of Pope John Paul II and The Divine Mercy Sanctuary where St. Faustina was laid to rest. During this pilgrimage she also visited Auschwitz and The National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Her last pilgrimage was in 2018 to The Holy Land where she felt blessed to have walked in Christ's path. She was very involved with Christian Mothers and the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (DCCW). She was also very active in many things church related at Our Lady of Lourdes. She took pride in advocating for the unborn and educating people on alternatives to abortion, and she was an active member of Morrison County's chapter of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) since 1973. She enjoyed gardening and paid for many college books and credits selling raspberries and fresh produce. Gardening and working outside in the flower beds brought her great peace and joy. She had a creative knack and resourcefulness for decorating with earthly beauty. Her home was decorated for every season and every room had religious décor which included crucifixes, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Popes, and angels. She will be remembered for her uplifting personality, beautiful singing voice, cooking big meals, baking, canning, love of antiques and local history, museum visiting, and going on day trips or picnics with family. All of her life she had a great love and devotion to The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Life. She lived her life as a humble Christian Servant of God. Gerri had an unwavering faith in God and dedicated much of her life to her church and faith communities. Gerri treasured her family and friends. She had a special gift of helping others feel loved and heard. She lived her life on earth to the fullest and will be deeply missed by her family, friends and community. May she rest in the peace of Christ.
Left to cherish her memory is her beloved husband of 46 years, Ernie; children, Jessica (Christopher) Schlichting of Melrose, Tamara (Troy) Bellefeuille of Little Falls, Carmille Klimek of Little Falls, Karsten (Julie) Klimek of Baxter; grandchildren, Aryana (Zachary) Schneider, Brock and Cole Chellgren, Jackson and Elijah Schlichting, Ashton, Isaac, Abrian and Braelyn Bellefeuille; siblings, DuWayne Virnig, Roger (Judy) Virnig, Sr. Carol Virnig, Nan Iten, Paul (Cheryl) Virnig, Pat (Butch) Schilling; many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Lottie Virnig and brother-in-law, Bob Iten.
Gerri's family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and staff who all cared for her during her time of need. We are humbled to have witnessed seeing her on the receiving end of all the compassion, grace and care she gave to others throughout her lifetime. We would also like to thank family and friends who have offered prayers, meals, and unconditional support during this difficult time.
Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Gerri. 320-632-4393.
Tributes
"What a beautiful service this morning for a beautiful lady! Our sincere condolences and prayers in your loss, Ernie and family..Margie & Arnie Benusa"
"We sincerely wish we would have been able to physically be present today to honor Gerri and all of the love & support she has shown anyone she met. Our grandson, Riley, tested positive for covid this past week, so we will be with you all in spirit & praying for comfort & peace in the days to come. "
"Our sympathies and prayers to Ernie and his family. Gerri was a remarkable kind lady and will be missed dearly. I have wonderful cherished memories of Gerri when she hosted a baby shower for me plus was very kind to our daughter and her disabled son She was also a gifted nurse and cheerfully cared for my disabled brother. Gerri gave endless hours of her time and talents to her parish and family and never expected recognition. Gerri is definitely a angel amongst us. ????? Don & Paulette Boone"
"My Deepest Condolences to you all for the loss , may all of your treasured memories of your Beloved Gerri help you through this time of great sadness. Prayers and Hugs Joyce Czeck"
"Ernie and family, Ken and I are so very sorry for you loss. Sending prayers and love and hugs for comfort, God gained a special angel.
Ken and Linda LeBlanc"
"With our deepest sympathies to Ernie and family. May God be with all of you during this difficult time.
Myron and Cathy Bahmer"
"Our deepest sympathies to Ernie and family. Gerri will be truly missed, she was a treasure to our community in so many ways."
"So sad to hear the loss of Gerri, wish the family comfort & peace."
"Our deepest sympathy to Ernie and family."
"So sorry for your family's great loss. Gerri was always so kind. Always so willing to listen. Always willing to just be your friend. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Wishing you comfort and peace."
"Prayers and condolences."
"To Gerri family: Our deepest sympathy, condolences, thoughts and prayers go the family of Gerri. May she rest in heaven with our Heavenly Father. May she Rest In Peace. God blessings on Gerri, Ernie & the family. "
"My sorrow and condolences to Ernie and all the family over this tremendous loss. Gerri was an amazing woman. May God embrace you all in peace.
Chaplain Amie"
"What a caring and loving and giving person that she was! She will never be forgotten for All she did. "
"My deepest condolences to you Ernie, and your wonderful children. I babysat for the girls many years ago and loved them so. Gerri was always such a sweet, caring soul and it was a pleasure to know her.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. ??"
"Sorry for your loss Tammy and Troy. Big hug to u. "
"My prayers are with your family"
"Our sympathy to Gerri's family"
"Our deepest sympathy to you all. She always took time to say hi with a warm smile and caring heart. Will miss her so!! "
"Our deepest sympathy to you all. She always took time to say hi with a warm smile and caring heart. Will miss her so!! Paul & Linda Tatro "
"Ernie and family; our deepest sympathies are with all of you. God gained another beautiful angel . "
"Sorry for your loss. Gerri will be missed prayer's for all."
"To Gerri family ... My sincere condolences for your loss. Praying for all of you throughout this difficult time. May she Rest In Peace."
"There are soooo many words that describe Gerrithat I had to pick just a few. She was one hell of a person, wife, friend, nurse, fighter, mother, grandma and all around AMAZING person. She was an angel on earth and now will be our guardian angel from heaven. The world will truly miss Gerri. I will truly miss Gerri. Hugs and prayers being sent to Ernie, his kids and grandkids. "
"Gerri touched so many of us. She could be seen at OLOL watering plants, dusting, decorating, painting, the list is unending....when she saw something that needed attention, she did it. She is an inspiration that will always be in our hearts. Our sympathy & prayers Tom & Jan Erwin"
"Our sympathies to her family "
"Ernie, and all the family, I just read the terriable news! I'm so sorry for your loss! She fought really hard! Prayers! R I P Geri"
"Ernie and Family my sincere sympathy to you all on the loss of Geri. She was a cherished gem. May you keep your memories close to you as you move onto the next weeks to come. God Bless you all. Debbie, Christopher, Ryan, and Brittany Harakel."
"God's grace be with you and your family, Ernie - Gerri was such a part of OLOL faith community and involved in so many things, we will all miss her willingness to help wherever it was needed. His peace and strength surround you and support you. Dee Shaffer"
"Our Deepest Condolences, from The Crowder Family "
"Condolences to Gerri's Family, Little Falls has lost a special pillar in the Faith Community, May She Rest in Peace!"
"our deepest sympathy to her family. "
"Our Sympathy to the Family of Gerri ! "
"The whole Morrison County pro-life community is in Mourning at the loss of this Pro-life champion and defender of life. Our prayers are with Gerri's family and loved ones. I think this quote from Fulton Sheen says it well ". I think there'll be a chorus of voices that have never been heard in this world but are heard beautifully and clearly in the next world -- and they will plead for everyone who has been in this movement. They will say to God, 'Spare him, because he loved us!? We will be forever grateful for the gift of Gerri and all she has contributed to this world. May the Lord bless her loved ones with comfort and peace as they cherish the memories of your loved one. John Justin Chair Morrison County Chapter MCCL"
"So sorry to hear this. You and Your Family have My deepest Sympathy and Prayers! She was a Blessing to so many!????"
"Condolences to Ernie and family. Mary McCarthy and James krottoschinsky."
"Ernie and family we are so very sorry for your devastating loss of Gerri sympathy, prayers and hugs Charlie and Dianne "
"I'm so sorry....God-bless you. "
"Our hearts are broken for you. Prayers continue for the entire family"
"Ernie and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Geri was such a wonderful lady. She will be missed!!"