Albert (Al)’s Obituary Albert (Al) Alvin Klaudt, 85, passed away peacefully April 11th, 2019 at Dougherty Hospice House surrounded by his loving family after suffering a stroke on April 7th. He was born on January 27th, 1934 in Menno, SD to Albert and Josephine Klaudt. He spent his early years in Menno in and around various family businesses including his father’s business, the Schnitzelbank Bar which is still in business today.
The family moved to Sioux Falls when he was 13 years old and his dad died shortly thereafter. He graduated from Washington High School in 1952. He served two years in the Army, stationed in Germany where he met many lifelong friends.
Al inherited his parents entrepreneurial spirit and was involved in many successful businesses from a young age including an HVAC partnership with Herman Schultz. It was there he met Sally Simmons, and as the saying goes, “the rest is history”. They married in 1963, and after settling in central Sioux Falls, became members of the Church of St. Mary.
Al and Sally had a successful rental business with over 100 units for the first few years of their marriage and started the family business, Carpet Market on Main Ave. in 1972. Over 33 years, the business grew and moved to 620 N. Main and eventually expanded to become Furniture Discounters.
Al’s final business was the Carpet Tile Outlet, which he closed in 2008. He always enjoyed advising his friends on their own successful business ventures. Al was passionate about Sioux Falls and South Dakota.
He would always take out-of-state visitors on a proud tour of the city. He loved baseball and would play with his grandsons. Al fought non-hodgkins lymphoma during recent years and his voluntary participation with Avera Cancer Institute on a clinical trial blessed his loved ones with three more years with him.
He is survived by his caring wife of 56 years, Sally of Sioux Falls; seven children, Rhea Kontos, Carl (Lori) Klaudt, Ali Langseth of Sioux Falls, Karen (Shawn) Kennedy of Baltic, Renee (Bruce) Hardester of Papillion, NE, Jeannie (Mick) McCarthy of Omaha, NE and Mary Jo (Larry) O’Bryan of Seaford, VA; grandchildren, Devin, Cody (Malia), Tea, Andrew, Tom, Dalan, Autumn, Corrinne, Christy, Emily, Anna, Madison, and Tyler and great grandsons, Ashton, Owen, and Easton. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, James Klaudt. A memorial service followed by a luncheon will be held at 1:00pm on Monday, April 15th, 2019 at Heritage Funeral Home.
Visitation is Sunday, April 14th, 2019 at Heritage Funeral Home with family present to greet friends from 5:00-7:00pm. A private internment will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Avera Prairie Cancer Center or Dougherty Hospice House.
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