The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Elmer (Moe) L. Kleinke, Jr., age 90, passed peacefully in his home in Sisters, on April 12, with his family by his side.

He was born in Portland on November 18, 1929 to Elmer and Inez (Price) Kleinke. Elmer grew up in Salem, graduating from Salem High School, Class of 1947. After a short time at Oregon State College, he entered the U.S. Navy, stationed at Sandia Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Dell Carver, before serving his country on the USS Coral Sea during the Korean War.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, the pull to return to Oregon brought them to Portland where he began his 29-year career with the Bell System. Moe, to most of his family and friends, worked in marketing, public relations and was the employment manager for Pacific NW Bell for the State of Oregon for a number of years.

Work was always his hobby, besides spending time with family, friends, and many pets over the years, taking numerous road trips.

Moving to Central Oregon had been a dream and when Patricia, his wife of 65 years passed away, he joined his daughter Jan and husband Henry Failing, becoming a devoted member of the Sisters community. He made fast friends joining the local chapter of Band of Brothers and the American Legion. He also enjoyed his senior exercise class at Sisters Park & Recreation District, where they would save his chair, waiting for him to return.

He could be found having breakfast with his cronies on Saturdays around Sisters.

If Moe called you friend, you were a friend for life.

Moe was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; youngest daughter, Beth Angela; and his parents.

He is survived by his daughters and son-in-laws Brenda and Tom Kneeshaw of Colfax, Washington, and Jan and Henry Failing of Sisters; his sidekick, Bandit; sister-in-law Sharon Carver of Portland; and numerous cousins, including first cousin Joan Wood of Sisters; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces & nephews; and dearly loved friends.

The family wishes to thank his St. Charles Oncology and Hospice team for all their care and support.

A celebration of Moe’s life will be announced at a later date due to the constraints of social distancing during this difficult time. His remains have been interred at Willamette National Cemetery with Patricia.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Humane Society of Central Oregon, 61170 SE 27th St., Bend, OR 97702.