Buddy Donald Klenk

On Sunday, February 21, 2021, Buddy Donald Klenk, loving husband, father of four, and beloved grandfather and great-grandfather passed away at home at the age of 90, surrounded by his wife Suzie and their family.

Buddy, the oldest son of Charles Henry “Carl” and Elfreida Kamp “Freida” Klenk, was born in 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah.  A veteran of the Korean war, Buddy married Suzanne Moench in 1954 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple.  They raised two daughters, Sherie and Cynthia, and two sons, Jonathan and David, starting a family that would span four generations before his death.  Buddy earned his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management from Brigham Young University.  Building on the previous generations, he was the first in his family to attend college.  They settled in La Mirada California after graduation where he started a long career in the satellite program at TRW.

A lover of watersports, Buddy would often be found on (or behind) one of his boats, teaching his children and grandchildren to waterski during summer trips to Bass Lake. 

Most comfortable with a tool in hand, Buddy could fix anything, putting his skills to use serving his neighbors, community, and members of the La Mirada Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

As the Klenk Clan patriarch, Buddy’s greatest pride was his family.  To the end, Grandpa’s house was a gathering place where all generations would walk right in the side door, welcomed by a loud laugh, loving embrace, Oreo cookie, and jump in the pool!  Most of all, Buddy adored his beloved Suzie.  Inseparable in life, Buddy was a joy and comfort to her to the end and now waits for her in the life to come.

Buddy was preceded in death by his father Carl, mother Freida, and brother Billy.  He is survived by his wife Suzanne Moench Klenk, brother Larry (Ruby) Klenk, children Sherie (David) Thomas, Cynthia (David) Cordell, Jonathan (Sonia) Klenk, and David (Terrie) Klenk, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.  Buddy’s loving legacy continued to grow the same evening of his passing with his youngest great-grandchild, Penelope Rose Klenk, born at 11:46 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or the American Cancer Society.