Merle Gene Klufa was born May 26, 1924 at Burke, South Dakota to James and Clara (Aaseth) Klufa. He died June 26, 2012 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota at the age of 88 years.

Following his graduation from Burke High School, he worked two years for Hewitt Construction and went to school in Vermillion, South Dakota. In 1944 he began a three year stint in the Air Force. From Buckley Air Field in Denver, he was transferred to Washington, DC. After his discharge, he returned home and began his "career" in the family store.

Merle always enjoyed hearing good music and reading about history of this country. He followed sports avidly, was a lifetime member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Burke and supported many local and national charities.

Merle is survived by his brothers: Kenny and Paul; and a sister, Dona. Paul and his wife Mary Jane live in Ames, Iowa . Their son, Jim and wife Rebeca live in the Phoenix area. Their daughter Ann and her husband Mike have two daughters, Skylar and Elsa and they live in Syracuse, New York. Dona has three sons: Reed and Jeff live in Georgetown, Colorado and Kent and his wife Joyce are in Cortez, Colorado.

Merle will be remembered as the face they saw at Klufa's Store.

Memorials may be directed to Community

Memorial Hospital in Burke, South Dakota

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 29, 2012 at 10:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church in Burke. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery, Burke. There will be a visitation from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.