Edna Kliner
Edna Mary Kliner (96) of Bagley, MN was called home by the One who loves her most October 3rd, 2025 at the Thief River Falls Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN. Memorial service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bagley, MN on Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Bagley, MN.
Edna Mary was born on November 1st, 1928 in Park River, ND the daughter of William “Bill” and Emma (Hodek) Zahratka. The family moved to Bagley, MN in 1932. The following year, they adopted the family name Gardner, the English translation of their Czech surname. In 1939, Bill and Emma, four daughters, and one son settled on the farm in Copley Township. Edna was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bagley where she was baptized on July 20th, 1933 alongside her younger sister Betty. She was confirmed on June 21st, 1942. Edna was a graduate of Bagley High School in the class of 1948.
Edna attended teacher training in East Grand Forks, MN and Bemidji State Teachers’ College in Bemidji, MN. During her first years of teaching at country schools in Polk County, MN, Edna was introduced to Elsie Kliner. Elsie encouraged her to write letters to her son, Lawrence “Larry” Lee Kliner. Larry and Edna were married on December 27th, 1952. To this union four children were born: Sheila, Lawrence Jr., Jackie, and Richard. The family made their home on Rainy Lake near International Falls, MN.
Edna continued her teaching career in International Falls, serving at Alexander Baker for two years and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School for 15 years. Edna and Larry moved to Bagley in 1978 and built their home among the pines on Clearwater County Road 13. Edna was employed at Greensview Nursing Home in Bagley, where she worked in the laundry and housekeeping, retiring in 1991.
Edna enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and reading. She tended a large garden on County 13 and supported Larry in his carpentry business. Grandma Ed always made sure to have frozen pizza and something sweet for her grandchildren when they came to visit.
Edna’s eyesight and hearing failed in her later years. In faith, we trust she departed from this world, hearing the call of Jesus saying, “Well done, good and faithful one. Enter with joy into the kingdom of Heaven,” (Matthew 25:23). With her own eyes, Edna Mary has seen salvation in Christ Jesus (Luke 2:30).
Edna Mary Kliner is survived by her daughters Sheila Dahlen and Jackie (Jerry) Nord; son Richard Kliner; daughter-in-law Leila Kliner; grandchildren Aaron (Mary) Dahlen, Kristin Emma Ostercamp, Andrew (Jennifer) Dahlen, Martin (Lisa) Dahlen, Carl (Roberta) Dahlen, Marie Dahlen, Laura (Tom) Kacik, Lisa (Paul) Rother, Linda (Jesse) Behm, Jonathan Nord, Jeffery Nord, Jayden (Elia) Nord, Kyle (Katie) Kliner, Cyrus (Tamara) Kliner, and Ryan Kliner; great-grandchildren Daniel Wituki, Jacob Dahlen, Zachary Ostercamp, Cori Ostercamp, Noah (Hanna) Dahlen, Adam Dahlen, Garett Dahlen, Lydia Dahlen, Arthur Dahlen, Lyle Dahlen, Madeline Thorlacius, Rachel Thorlacius, Grace Longo, Dylann Kacik, Sean Kacik, Wyatt Rother, Sara Rother, Connor Rother, Abby Behm, Rowan Behm, Lanora Behm, Kyra Kliner, Kasen Kliner, Kian Kliner, Kaelin Kliner, and Ellie Kliner; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Bill and Emma, husband of nearly 66 years, Lawrence Sr.; son Lawrence Jr.; granddaughter Racheal Kliner; siblings Llyod Gardner, Lillian (John) Caskey, Minnie (James) Landmark, Herman (Emily) Gardner, Betty Gardner; son-in-law Robert Dahlen, daughter-in-law Coreen Kliner, and nephew Thomas Gardner.
Thank you to the staff at Cornerstone Residence, Thief River Falls Care Center, and HIA Health-Hospice of the Red River Valley for the care they gave Edna during these last months. Thank you to Cease Family Funeral Home for handling arrangements.