Conrad Connie Klutenkamper

Conrad ’Connie’ Klutenkamper, 77 of St. Charles, Mo., died on February 9, 2006, with his family by his side. “Connie”, as his family affectionately called him, was a lover of history, airplanes, fishing and golf. Not many men can take credit for a hole-in-one on the golf course and really mean it. In fact, his van boasted that he’d “rather be driving a Titleist.” But that’s just a glimpse of the man that family and friends will hold tenderly in their hearts. He also surrounded himself with books on aviation and history. He enjoyed learning the anecdotes that made history real. Connie recently donated his more than 450 books to the student library at Duchesne High School in St. Charles. Connie was born on Nov. 6, 1928 in Pine Lawn, Mo. He graduated from Francis Howell High School in 1946, and then enlisted in the Army Air Force, where he served for two years. Although he never earned a college degree, Connie made a life out of learning. An engineering major, Connie attended college in University of Missouri at Rolla and Washington University in St. Louis. He married Marilyn Klutenkamper (Sammelmann) on Sept. 30, 1950, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cottleville. They were together 55 years. Connie began his career as a machine operator at Continental Can’s Fiber Drum Division. He retired as a salesman after more than 35 years with the compnay. His job took the family to Van Wert, Ohio, for a couple years before returning to the St. Louis area. He is survived by his wife Marilyn and his four children: Mark (MaryAnn) Klutenkamper of Lakeville, Minn.; Jill (Rick) Tegethoff of Pinckneyville, ILL.; Brian (Debbie) Klutenkamper of St. Charles, Mo.; and Jay (Fiance Nora Funke) Klutenkamper. He is also survived by two sisters: Mary Becker and Terry (Charles) Kunz and two brothers: Raymond (Shirlee) Klutenkamper and Leo (Dotsy) Klutenkamper. He is survived by 11 grandchildren: Jeremy, Justin and Josh Klutenkamper; Ethan and Joel Klutenkamper; Eric, Adam and Amy Tegethoff; and Allyson, Dan and Laura Klutenkamper. Services: Family and friends will celebrate Connnie’s life at a visitation from 3 to 8 p.m., Sunday, February 12, 2006, at BaueFuneral Home in St. Charles, 3950 W. Clay. A visitation will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Monday , February 13, 2006, at St. Cletus Catholic Church, 2705 Zumbehl, St. Charles. A funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. Burial will follow mass at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Cottleville. Memorial masses or donations to St. Vincent DePaul Society may be given in lieu of flowers.