Frederick “Fritz” John Klinkebiel, 91, of Brownsville, Oregon passed away Thursday at Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House in Albany surrounded by his family. He was born in Frontier County, near Cambridge, Nebraska to Henry and Leta Marie (Bauer) Klinkebiel.

He grew up farming and joined the United States Navy after high school. He was sent to the South Pacific during WWII. While his ship was docked in Portland, he met his future wife, Janet.

After he was discharged from the Navy, Fritz drove back to Portland from Nebraska and married Janet Christensen. They moved back to Nebraska for 12 years and had three children. They returned to Oregon in 1957 and made Brownsville their home in 1961.

Fritz is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, brother, and granddaughter.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.