John "Jack" Kleven

John Lynn "Jack" Kleven, 69, Grand Forks and Minot, ND died peacefully at North Florida Regional Hospital in Gainesville, Florida on December 27, 2013. He was born in Grand Forks, ND on March 5, 1944 to John B. and Lillian N. Kleven. He graduated from Central High School in 1962. Apparently, he and his older sisters had a pretty fun upbringing, but he told only a handful of the stories! Jack attended the University of North Dakota where he studied Civil Engineering. He married Andrea (Fehr) on October 31, 1964 at Bethany Lutheran in St. Hilaire, MN. He sometimes joked that he thought he was at a Halloween party. Jack & Andrea moved from Grand Forks to Minot in 1968 where Jack was the office manager for Twin City Testing. He started and owned Dakota Testing Labs in 1972 and then Materials Testing Services in 1984. He ran the company until he sold it and retired in 1998. He remained active on various technical committees of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) throughout his retirement. Jack was proud of the standard procedures his companies developed and followed, and more proud that his dedicated employees were able to purchase Material Testing Services when he retired. Jack and Andrea lived in Eastwood Park in Minot, ND for 30+ years, surrounded by wonderful neighbors and friends. He then moved to Grand Forks, ND from 2004 until 2013. Most recently, he lived in Moody, Alabama where he could be in a warmer climate during the winter. Jack was very active with hockey throughout his life. He served on the Board of Directors and as President of the North Dakota Amateur Hockey Association for many years, was actively involved in establishing the hockey program in Minot and later served on the Board of Directors of the Minot Hockey Boosters, Jack also helped plan and run the 2005 IIHF World Junior Tournament that was held in Grand Forks, ND. He and Andrea were also active with Mouse River Players in Minot, ND in the mid to late 70s. His most proud achievement was being inducted into the NDAHA and MHB Halls of Fame. He enjoyed attending all UND sports, especially hockey and volleyball, and watching his grandchildren participate in their activities. Jack always made friends easily, and always enjoyed the company of others. In the words from one Eastwood Park Neighbor: "Jack was such a kind man. He was always smiling & so kind to others. He is probably in heaven telling bawdy jokes and laughing with Andrea and our other loved ones." He is survived by his children, Lise (Harold) Ciancio of Moody, AL, Jay (Miranda) Kleven of Grand Forks, and Vera Kleven of Phoenix, AZ; six grandchildren: Bryce (Kristin) Ciancio, Kristen Ciancio, Norah Kleven, Madeline Kleven, Anne Kleven and Joseph Kleven; two great-grandchildren: Jack and Kaylea Ciancio; two sisters Audrey (William) Barrett, and LaVonne Russell (Joseph) Hootman; one brother-in-law Gerald Fehr; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Andrea, his parents John and Lillian, his father in law Jacob Fehr, two brothers-in-law William Barrett and Maurice Russell. The funeral will be held on Friday Jan 10, 2014 at 11:00AM in Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1710 Cherry Street, Grand Forks ND with a luncheon reception to follow. Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan 9 from 6 pm to 8 pm with a 7:30 p.m. Prayer Service in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks. Spring Interment will be at Bethany Lutheran Cemetery next to his beloved wife Andrea. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Minot Area Youth Skaters Association (MAYSA), 2501 West Burdick Expressway, Minot ND 58701 or to the UND Theatre Arts Department, c/o UND Alumni Foundation, Attn: Stephanie Peterson, 3501 University Ave, Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202.