J. Roland Klemm saved David L. Mee and Daniel M. Hutcheson from drowning, Wilmette, Illinois, March 15, 1964. When their canoe was swamped in Lake Michigan, schoolboys David, 16, and Daniel, 15, jumped into the icy water, clung to the craft after it rose upside down, and pushed it ahead of them as they swam shoreward. They soon became too numb to continue, and called for help 450 feet from shore in water 12 feet deep between waves three feet high. Klemm, 39, factory purchasing agent, was attracted and ran 700 feet to a point on the beach from which the wind and waves would aid him on a diagonal course to the two youths. He undressed to his underwear and waded 100 feet in the cold water. Klemm swam 600 feet and reached the canoe. Both David and Daniel said that their limbs were numb, but Klemm urged them to continue trying to swim. Pulling the canoe, to which David and Daniel clung while kicking feebly, Klemm swam toward shore. The wind and waves forced him off course, but after swimming 460 feet they obtained footing and waded 150 feet to the beach.
47085-4894Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Jurgen Roland Klemm announce his peaceful passing on October 27, 2023, at home with his loving family by his side. Jurgen was born on February 19th, 1950 in Chemnitz, East Germany. Jurgen, with his parents, Inge (Arnold) and Roland Klemm, immigrated to Canada in 1959 when he was 9 years old and they resided in Calgary Alberta. Jurgen and Judy met when they were 14 years old and he married the love of his life 5 years later in 1969.
Jurgen was always a hard worker and willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. At 16 years old he wrote the entrance exam for the Plumber Apprenticeship and passed with flying colors! At 21 he completed his apprenticeship and was awarded his plumbing ticket as the 2nd youngest person in Alberta to do so, at that time.
In 1975, Jurgen started working at Cominco in Kimberley, BC, where he worked for 16 years. He retired from Skookumchuk Pulp Mill on January 16, 2010 after 20 years of service. He loved the Cranbrook area and was thankful to have settled here with his family.
Jurgen was a “jack of all trades”, completely renovating our family home several times over 45 years and he took pride in always completing the work himself. He was a plumber/ pipe fitter/ gas fitter by trade but an “un-ticketed” electrician, carpenter, mechanic, landscaper, roofer….. the list goes on. If he could do it himself, he did!
Jurgen loved spending time with family and friends. He was always up for a game of cards with good friends. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, camping, gardening, quadding and a good poker game with his buddies. Judy and Jurgen cherish the memories of their travels with family and friends. He proudly watched every hockey game, as he followed Jon’s career and was always Tara’s biggest cheerleader. Jurgen let it be known how proud he was of his kids and grandkids.
He was predeceased by his parents Inge and Erich Jaeck, Roland Klemm; and in-laws Marie and Blair Hall.
Jurgen is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Judy; son Jon; daughter Tara (Erik); grandchildren Kaylee, Lindsay (Tim), Joselyn, Jared, Declan, Kyle and Nicholas; sister Janis (Greg); sisters-in-law Diana (Brian), Cindy (Bill); brother-in-law Dennis (Lorena); nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog Harley.