Miriam Klancher

Miriam J. Klancher

Miriam J. Klancher, 87, Hibbing died Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Grand Itasca Hospital in Grand Rapids, MN.  She was born on February 3, 1929 to August and Hanna (Kallio) Tuomala in Ely, MN.  Miriam graduated from high school and later attended Ely Junior College.  Upon completion of her two year program, Miriam attended summer school at UMD receiving a teaching certificate.  She taught one year of school at Ft. Yates Indian Reservation in North Dakota.  Later on in her career she was employed as a nurses’ aide in Ely and finally in Hibbing.  She was united in marriage with Edward Klancher on January 27, 1951 in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.  After Edward’s tour in the U.S. military, the couple moved to Ely, MN, residing there until 1953 when they moved to Hibbing.  Miriam was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hibbing. She was a member of the church choir and also sang in the area for many funerals.  She was a member of Mrs. Jaycees, a woman’s bowling league.  Miriam was also an accomplished violinist in her early adulthood.  Lately, she enjoyed her television programs, especially her “Soaps”, and Dancing with the Stars.

She is survived by her husband, Edward Klancher, Hibbing, daughters, Valerie Nicolls, Fullerton, CA, Melanie (Myrick) Gates, Chisholm, MN, and Carol (Mark) Roberts, Hibbing, six grandchildren, Ashley Nicolls, Fullerton, CA, Shawn (Hope) Gates, Sauk Rapids, MN, Aaron (Angela) Gates, Chisholm, MN, Jesse Gates, Chisholm, Jamie (Jody) Roberts, and Christopher (Stacy) Roberts, both of Duluth, MN, 10 great-grandchildren with one on the way, Brandon, Kailani, Tristin, Christian, Cecilia, Nicolas, Marcus, and Courtney, Jady, Jake, and numerous loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Michael “Mickey” Tuomala, Harold Tuomala, Reino Tuomala, George Tuomala, and Samuel Tuomala, and her sister, Martha Jarvi.

Funeral services for Miriam will be 1:00pm, Friday, October 28, 2016 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hibbing.  The Rev. Brian Birk will officiate.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.  Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing.  Miriam’s family would like to especially thank Rayleen and Diana at Essentia Clinic and Crystal from Salon 17 for the exceptional and loving care that Miriam received from them over the past few years.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com .