Michael "Tony" Kleis Jr.

February 4, 1949 - February 1, 2019

Michael “Tony” Kleis Jr., age 69, of French Addition, International Falls, MN, passed away of unexpected causes on Friday, February 1, 2019 at his home with his family by his side Tony was born in International Falls on February 4, 1949 to Dempsey and Michael Kleis Sr. He lived in International Falls and graduated from Falls High School in 1967. During his school years he worked for Lester Ewald on his chicken farm and after graduation he went on to California and worked in the lettuce fields. He came home and started working in the mill, working on the paper machines until his retirement in 2012, after forty-two years of service. He enjoyed going to his hunting shack, going fishing, and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Dempsey, and Michael Kleis Sr.; sister, Carol Kleis; granddaughter, Jennifer Kleis; and mother and father-in-laws, Earl and Evelyn Lavasser, and John Heibert. He is survived by his wife, Diane of fifty-one years; two daughters, Sheila (David) Mortenson of International Falls, and Heather (Paul) Ojala of Hibbing, MN; one son, Michael (Pam) Kleis III of International Falls; five grandchildren, Todd (Bekah) Mortenson of St. Paul, MN, Tanner Mortenson of Hawaii, Brittany (Craig) Qualley of International Falls, Rylee Ojala of Hibbing; great-grandson, Bentley Kleis of International Falls; two sisters, Nancy (Leland) Heibert of Kingsman, AZ, and Julie (Arthur) Cassibo of International Falls. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Zion Lutheran Church, 530 6th Street, International Falls at 2:00 p.m.