1941-George Kalas-2018
George Kalas was born on April 10, 1941 in Slayton, Minnesota to Arnold and Loretta Lentz Kalas. He grew up in Slayton and graduated from Slayton High School in 1959. He then joined the United States Air Force where he met his first wife, Monica. To this union a son, Chris was born. They later divorced. He was then stationed in Grand Forks, North Dakota, where he met the love of his life, Rosemary Ann Dahl. They were married on June 24, 1966 in Grand Forks. Following their marriage they lived in Puerto Rico where their son Scott was born. In 1970 they moved to Michigan until George was transferred to Thailand. While George was in Thailand, Rosemary and Scott called Slayton, Minnesota home. In 1972 they moved to Omaha, NE where daughter Stacey was born. In 1976 the family moved to Germany until 1979 when they moved to Montana. George retired from the United States Air Force in 1980 and the family moved to Slayton. George took a job at Welders Supply in Worthington, Minnesota where he remained for 23 years until retiring in 2003. Rosemary passed away on November 14, 2009. George remained in their home until December 18, 2017 when George moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton. He passed away there on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the age of 76. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Slayton. He also was a past member of the Currie America Legion Post and the Slayton VFW Post. George enjoyed spending time with family, watching football, baseball and Nascar, reading and watching true investigating TV shows.
Survivors include his three children: Chris and Tess Kalas, Filer, ID, Scott and Jennifer Kalas, Slayton, MN and Stacey Bakke, Slayton, MN; seven grandchildren; six siblings and their spouses: Larry Kalas, Audrey and Steve Smith, Arnold Jr. “Butch” and Laurie Kalas, Duretta “Smokey” and Robert Willhite all of Slayton, MN, Lyle and Kimberly Kalas,Tracy, MN, and Janet and Dan Einck, Slayton, MN, one brother-in-law Lee Larson, Slayton, MN, and several nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Rosemary; brother Leon Kalas; sister Eldora Larson;brother-in-law Dick Miller; and sister-in-law Henrietta Kalas.
Memorial services were held at the United Methodist Church in Slayton, MN on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Lori Von Holtum and Ethanie Schmidt officiating. The organist was Janet Voges with special music by Nikki Cheskie. The honorary pallbearers were Samantha Bakke, Aaron Bakke, Jayson Bakke, and Stephanie Kalas. Interment is at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
