Page 4 of The Zion News

A visit with Jerry and Mary KLEVEN

Zion’s outreach to the community is important and the Klevens are great ambassadors-at-large. They have been members at Zion for almost fifty years and impressed with the growth and changes during that time. "The biggest change has been in youth activities and the strong music programs. Both add so much to worshipping at Zion."

So where does the Jerry & Mary story begin? Are you Grand Rapids natives? [Jerry]: No, but we’ve been here a long time. I was born and raised in Braham, Minnesota, graduated from high school there and, like many my age during World War II, went into the U.S. Navy. [Mary]: I’m not from Braham. I grew up in Portland, North Dakota, a small town not far from Grand Forks. My family moved to Minneapolis just before my senior year in high school and I graduated from North High. I went from a school with a total enrollment of 98 students to a graduating class of 320. Numbers shock!

So where and how did the two of you manage to find each other? [Jerry]: When I got out of the service I went to work for Northwestern Bell in the Twin Cities. My first job was climbing poles. I was attending Bethlehem Lutheran Church in north Minneapolis. [Mary]: And I, too, was a member of Bethlehem. I was Mary Edberg then. We both sang in the choir there. We were married at Bethlehem in 1952.

Tell us about your family. [Jerry]: We have two sons. Richard is an attorney and works for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Rob works in Administration for Target. They both live in the Twin Cities. [Mary]: And we have two wonderful grandchildren, Sarah and Alex. They’re Rob’s children.

How did you happen to locate in Grand Rapids? [Jerry]: The phone company transferred me to Virginia in 1958, where I was Assistant Manager. Two years later I moved to Grand Rapids as General Manager. [Mary]: And we been here every since. That’s almost forty years, Jerry. [Jerry]: Yes, forty very good years, I would add.

You’ve both are involved in a lot of different volunteer activities at Zion. Can you give us a rundown on that? [Jerry]: You first, Mary. [Mary]: Goodness…well, I’ve always been active in women’s Circle, I’m on the library board, I’ve taught Sunday school…and summer Bible School…and I was in the choir, not now but years back. Jerry was, too. And I help in transcribing the information out of the brown friendship pads people fill out on Sunday mornings.

Ah, so someone really does look at those pads? [Mary continued]: You bet we do. It’s very important information…to Zion as well as the Synod office.

You’re next, Jerry: A lot of what I’ve done is physical. I like doing work like that. I’ve probably helped paint the church three or 4 times. I’ve served on the church council and have been a long time offering counter. I helped organize the group of Zion men who volunteer every month at Second Harvest, where I’ve also served on the Food Bank board.

I’ve noticed that you seem to know just about everyone around town. How is that? I assure you I don’t know everyone, but from my job at the phone company we were encouraged to get involved in the community. I was president of the Chamber of Commerce, and also president and longtime member of Rotary. I’ve also headed up the United Way Board. You get to meet so many people when you’re active in these organizations. Plus, I’m a small town guy at heart. Mary’s been active in community activities, as well.

[Mary]: I worked at School District 318 for 18 years, and it was great place to meet people. I’ve been active in the American Cancer Society, was President of the North Star Women’s Club and in the Grand Itasca Auxiliary volunteers.

What do the two of you enjoy doing in your leisure time? We both like to golf and we enjoy traveling…especially to warm places in the winter. And summers we really enjoy time on the lake in our pontoon.

Thank you Jerry and Mary Kleven for visiting with us and letting us get to know a little bit more about you. Volunteer ministers are the backbone of the church and Zion is blessed with many enthusiastic and talented volunteers.