Kenneth Klem

On Monday, January 4th, 2021 Kenneth R. Klem, loving husband and father of two, passed away at the age of 71. Ken was born on September 19, 1949 in Toledo, Ohio. He attended St. Johns, Woodward High school, and took college classes at Owens and the University of Toledo. From 1969-1971 Ken served as a member of the United States Army, including a tour in Vietnam. On July 29, 1972 Ken married his sweetheart Debbi Lauderman, whom he was with for 48 years. Together they raised two children, Alan and LeThu. Ken enjoyed working on cars and computers, and could often be found watching his favorite military shows (M.A.S.H. and Tour of Duty) or old school science fiction (Star Trek and Doctor Who). For a bit of peace and quiet he would go fishing- or as he called it, drowning worms. Ken is most remembered for playing Father Christmas (Jolly Green Santa), a role he first took on at an orphanage in Vietnam. Whether at a renaissance faires or just out to dinner he had a knack for making children of all ages smile (and reminding them to be good). Ken was preceded in death by his parents, James and Irene (Nemchick) Klem, and his brother, Richard (Rick) Klem. He is survived by wife Debbi (Lauderman) Klem, son Alan Klem (Nicole), daughter LeThu Wilkerson (Christopher), grandsons Leroy Mann III (Jeremy Meade), Jordan Hadley, and Jaiden Hadley, and many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Renaissance RESCU ( https://rescufoundation.org/ ) or the Make-a-Wish Foundation ( https://wish.org/ ).