Milton Klungness

Born October 27, 1923, Milton Lane Klungness left this world as we know it on November 2, 2016. Milton, or Timber as he was known to so many, was born to James H. and Gladys M. Klungness in Grand Island, Nebraska living the largest portion of his life in Casper, Wyoming, with his parents and six siblings. The family had little in terms of monetary wealth, but the stories of "those days" bring one into a harder yet much simpler life than we know today and with those experiences shaping who and what he became as a husband, a father and a businessman throughout the years. Active in basketball through high school and beyond in city leagues, Milton found his true passion in the game of golf, and will always be remembered for his involvement in the sport both as an active player, but also as a mentor to so many who sought to play the game he so loved, but not before a serving in the U. S. Army during World War II, rising to the rank of Sgt. (on several occasions), from 1943 until his discharge in 1946. Milton returned from his years of service in Europe to Casper after his discharge in 1946 in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, where he met Norma L. Blauer, a local telephone operator. The daughter of a jack of all trades and master of many, Oren L. Blauer, they married on August 22, 1947 with Milton joining Oren in his construction business and later in their joint ownership of Frosty's Liquor Store in downtown Casper. Oren ran the overall day to day business at Frosty's making certain to be there for first and last count, allowing Milton and Norma to work together in his expanding construction business as a Custom Home Contractor, and giving him the ability to include some light commercial in the mix as well. Adding to the growing businesses, Milton and Norma raised four children together: Milt, Kirk, Karen and Susie. The combination of his marriage to Norma, his amazing game of golf, and his businesses, led Milton to a remarkable group of friends and associates that joined together to found and develop the Paradise Valley Country Club, 18-Hole Golf Course and surrounding residential community, with Milton being the general contractor for many of the homes built within the outlying Casper community while maintaining a profile throughout the area and other parts of Wyoming as one of the premier homebuilders in the area, building homes as small at 900 square feet to completing ranch homes with million dollar price tags, construction was his business and it was tremendously good to him throughout the years. Yet with a growing family, businesses and other involvements, Milton remained an avid golfer on the State and local level, perfecting his game to something that any professional golfers could only aspire to. He amassed wins on the local and state levels, and continued playing after his retirement in 1978 (which he described as too soon in later years), and experienced the thrill of three holes in one over his years of play, the best of all being what is believed to have been a record at the time, fired at the Cheyenne Country Club on August 2, 1959 during a practice round for the Wyoming State Amateur Tournament on the Par 4, 382 Yard hole numbered 3. Milton is survived by three children: Milton K., Kirk L. (Jennifer A.), and Karen K., his 5 Grandchildren: Kirk J. Klungness, Lucas S. Spencer, Lane S. Spencer, Ryan A. Klungness and Hayley G. Klungness, Four Great-Grandchildren: Nicole Klungness, Eric Klungness, Izabelle Spencer and Julion Spencer, his Sister, Patricia Lavin and Sister-in-Law, Shirley Klungness, along with numerous nieces, nephew and greats. He was preceded in death by his Wife, Norma L. and youngest Child, Susan L. (Susie), along with his parents, and five of his siblings (Marian, Lorraine, Marjorie, Byron, and Gladys). Milton was adamant that there be no Services in his honor and that there be no "Celebration of Life", so in lieu of same, his close family opted to reach out and obtain the first reaction words or phrases to describe him. We ask that those wishing to participate in a celebration of Milton that you raise your favorite glass, shout out your favorite name or word for him, and laugh like he was there enjoying the moment with you! Loving and missing you already, but laughing through the tears as we send you off on your final blast, Dad......and in keeping with the technology that you so marveled at yet came to love if you wanted to know something and told us to look in our phones (he called them books), we are "Hashtagging you Home" with our favorite memories of you! #timber #dapper #opinionated #particular #perfectionist #colorinthelines #golf #holeinone #timberknows #sports #cuttysark #direct #classy #foxnews247 #pvcc #bicycle #rottenbunch #frostys #elbowroom #archiescyliquor #mailboxesinmygrill #redbarn #securitybank #buddy #moregolf #neverenoughgolf #disciplinarian #dinnerstress #manners #eatwhatsonyourplate #neverthedd #77919 #classy #illbedamned #finallyfigureditout