Gary L. Klemm
Gary L. Klemm, 78, of Benson, Minnesota, died Monday morning, October 26, 2026, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Montevideo, Minnesota. Visitation will be Saturday, November 14, 2026, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Burial with military honors will be at the Benson City Cemetery following the service.
Gary Lyman Klemm was born in Kasson, MN, October 23, 1948 to Florence(Anderson) and Roman Klemm. He was baptized December 1, 1948 at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Browns Valley June 2, 1962. Gary graduated from Browns Valley High School in 1966 and then attended Staples Vocational College earning a degree as a Diesel Mechanic.
Gary enlisted in the US Navy and served his Country in the Vietnam War from 1968-1970. Gary was a member of the Seabee NMCB Fighting 40 and was trained in Diesel Mechanics. While in Vietnam, Gary was fortunate enough to see Bob Hope perform during his service. When his service was complete, Gary was able to wind down in Puerto Rico. He had to check in once per day and thoroughly enjoyed that trip.
Gary owned and operated Klemm’s Conoco in Beardsley after returning home from the Military. He closed after a short while due to the gas shortage.
In January of 1971, he met the love of his life in Minneapolis. After 34 days Gary proposed! Gary and Beverly Lenz were married August 7, 1971 in Hankinson, ND. To this union, two children were born: Kay Marie and Justin Gary. They were blessed to celebrate 55 years of marriage!
Gary became a hog buyer for Armour in Browns Valley in 1974. In 1976, they moved to Benson. Gary was a hog buyer for Armour which would eventually become Swift & Company, Monfort and JBS Pork. He stayed there until his Station was closed in 2010.
Gary was an active member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Benson. He had served as an Elder, Usher, Council Member, Church President and numerous other committees. Gary was a member of the Swift Extension Committee and Swift County Pork Producers. Gary was a Swift County Commissioner from 2010-2014.
Gary was an active member of the Benson VFW Post 1403. He was the Gambling Manager from 1999-2022. He enjoyed his time of volunteering there and made many great fellow Veteran friends over the years. He also was an American Legion Member through Browns Valley Krensing American Legion Post 58 for 57 years!
Gary’s favorite hobbies were fishing, gardening, attending the grandson’s activities, volunteering and spending time with his friends with Bev at the Benson VFW. If he wasn’t in a boat somewhere - he could be found at a ballfield, hockey rink or in a gym with a wrestling mat.
Gary was known for his sense of humor, compassion and honesty. He loved the community of Benson and was proud of their farm north of town. He loved it when people driving by would honk their car horns as a Greeting!
Gary died October 26, 2026 at the Montevideo Veterans Home. He attained the age of 78 years and three days. Gary’s family wishes to acknowledge the excellent care he received while being a resident of the Montevideo Veterans Home. We are thankful Gary had the privilege to live there.
Gary is survived by his wife Beverly; daughter Kay(Michael) and son Justin; grandsons: Parker, Adam and Andrew; brother Berent Klemm and sister Joelyn Sittig. Bev’s family: Greg and Susan Lenz, Myrna and Mike Hanson and Lannette Adams. Many other nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by parents Florence and Roman Klemm; his in-laws Gustav and Laura Lenz; sister Carol Hauck; sister-in-law Diane Klemm and brother-in-law Harlan Sitting.
Also preceding him in death were Bev’s family: Frank and Lillian Schimitz, Laverne and Bob Kath, Violet and Howard Helland, David and Michelle Lenz and Eugene Lenz.
Blessed be his memory!
Zniewski Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.