Kaye Irene Klukow

Kaye Irene McMasters Klukow, age 86 of Conger Minnesota, passed away wrapped by the love of a lifetime well lived. Born on February 27, 1940 to William and Gladys (Hammer) McMasters, she built a beautiful life centered on faith, family, service, creativity, and love.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at Bear Lake Concordia Lutheran Church. Visitation shall be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, October 23, 2026 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home and for an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial at Bear Lake Concordia Lutheran Cemetery shall be held following the service.

On December 16, 1960, Kaye married the love of her life, Darryl Klukow. Together they raised three children, whom she loved deeply. Through the years of their marriage, they have lived in five different homes and each new house was made a home with her loving touch. In 1972 they purchased the Miller family acreage which was once home to Darryl’s grandparents. They raised their family here and continue to make this community their home.

Kaye was a lifelong learner and took great pride in her education. She began her education in a one room school in rural Austin after she and her family moved back to the area from San Francisco following the war. She later moved to town and became a student of the Austin Public schools. She graduated from Austin High School in 1958 and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She continued her education at Austin Junior College, graduating in 1961 with a general education degree looking towards a teaching degree. Once married, her plans changed until later in life when she graduated from Riverland Technical School in 1982 earning a degree in mechanical drafting.

Throughout her life, Kaye wore many hats. She worked as a waitress at Minnesota Café while in school. While in high school she was a girl scout and served as a camp leader for two years as well as a summer Austin Park and Recreation summer program leader. She served as a census worker from 1960 to 2020. A great source of pride was the fact that she had a perfect score on the civil service entrance exam. Over the years she was a home day care provider, and she was employed at Knit Stitch Yarn Shop, Fleetguard, Streater, and as a content writer for the Alden Advance. She was also proud to be a farm wife.

Kaye had many passions and talents. As a young girl, she loved fishing in northern Minnesota with her family. She loved quilting, having been introduced to it at the 1974 World’s Fair in Spokane WA during a family vacation. Her creativity and love were woven into every quilt she made. She lovingly completed quilts for each of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, leaving them with beautiful reminders of her talent and devotion. She also enjoyed doing genealogy, any kind of needlework, writing poetry, traveling and watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up.

Her involvement in the community was just as meaningful. Kaye was an active 4-H leader and key leader and served as a 4-H judge at county and state fairs. She enjoyed being part of two quilters groups as well as a writers group. She volunteered as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. For many years she and Darryl provided a licensed home for foster children. In 2002 Kaye began volunteering at the Albert Lea Public Library helping with the book exchange to local preschools and home day cares. The kids lovingly referred to her as “gramma” when she would come to make the exchange. Kaye was also an active member of the Freeborn County Genealogical Society having a great interest in discovering her family heritage. Several vacations were devoted to tracing the lineage from Utah to South Carolina.

Faith was an important part of Kaye's life. She confirmed her faith in 1953 in St. Olaf Lutheran church in Austin, MN. She was a devoted member of Bear Lake Concordia Lutheran Church in rural Albert Lea, Minnesota. She was active in her church circle, alter guild, choir, served as the church secretary and Lutheran World Relief where she helped make infant layette sets and school kits for kids and families in need. Her generosity and love also touched many within her congregation as she created personalized quilts for all graduating high school seniors.

Perhaps one of Kaye's greatest gifts was the way she loved and cared for her family. She was always there when they needed her. To ensure her children and grandchildren felt uniquely cherished, she began the beautiful tradition of baking each person their favorite treat on their birthday. She also had the rare talent for making the holidays feel truly magical; Christmas was always alive with laughter and games, while Easter brought the anticipation of the traditional annual egg hunt, creating cherished memories for the entire family. These simple but meaningful traditions became treasured expressions of her love.

Kaye will be remembered for her caring heart, creative spirit, strong faith, dedication to her family, and willingness to serve others. The quilts she stitched, the words she wrote, the treats she baked, and the love she gave will remain in the hearts of all who knew her.

Her life was a beautiful tapestry of faith, family, creativity, and service, and the threads of her love will continue to connect and comfort those she leaves behind.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Darryl of 65 years. Children Douglas (Nancy) Klukow of Buffalo Center, Iowa, Deborah (Craig) Gade of Whittemore, Iowa, and Thomas (Julie) Klukow of White Fish, Montana and former daughter-in-law, Wendy Klukow of Munroe Falls, Ohio. She was blessed with 9 grandchildren; Joseph Klukow, Gary (Rachel) Klukow, Nicholas Gade, Melissa (Mitchell) Habeger, Matthew Gade, Michael (Samantha) Gade, Samantha (Greg) Daigneault, Stephanie Klukow, Ben (Mary Ellen) Klukow. Kaye has 12 great grandchildren as well; Delayna, Kyla, Mackenzie, Ava, Olivia, Treyson, Waylon, Everett, Maverick, Declan, Brett and Alex. She also leaves behind a brother, John McMasters of Austin, MN, sister-in-law Janice Callahan of Chatfield MN, and brothers-in-law, Donald Bulson of Albert Lea, MN and Larry Klukow of Burnsville, MN as well as many nieces and nephews.

Waiting to welcome her home were those she loved who had gone before her: her parents, parents-in-law Erick and Cora Klukow, her sister, Carol Bulson, and her sisters-in-law Mary Klukow and Karen McMasters.

The family prefers memorials to ELCA World Hunger Relief.

The service will be livestreamed through Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home's Facebook page using the link below. Should technical difficulties occur, a recording of the service will be posted to this page after the service.

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