Shirley Dropik Kluver

Shirley Ann (Dropik) Kluver, 89, of Alexandria passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alexandria at 11:00 AM with entombment at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Anderson Funeral Home from 5:00 - 7:00 PM with a prayer service starting at 7:00 PM, as well as one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Shirley Ann Dropik was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Anton and Ida (Swehla) Dropik on November 17, 1934. When she was four years old her parents purchased the Dropik Homestead in Leaf Valley, Minnesota. She was baptized in the Catholic Church, confirmed at Seven Dolors, and attended school at St. Mary’s in Millerville.

As a child, Shirley was one of ten children and was kept very busy on the farm – milking cows, gardening, and harvesting grain. As her dad was a gourmet cook and previous restaurant owner in Elk River, all of the children learned to cook his specialties. After high school Shirley started working part time at an insurance adjusting office and was eventually hired on full time at Western Adjusting & Inspecting. She loved this job until Don Krueger offered her a job at Rexall Drug as a pharmacy clerk, which she took. Then, when that company went out of business, she went to work at Trumm Drug, where she worked for nearly twenty years. Shirley also worked at the “Gambles Store” because she loved music and dancing. Her dad played the accordion and taught all the children to dance, which Shirley loved and was good at.

Then, while at a dance in 1953, Shirley met the love of her life, Henry Kluver. The couple danced together for a year before marrying on April 21, 1954. The couple danced together their whole marriage until Henry’s passing in 2017, and met many wonderful dancing friends. They were also a part of a dancing club called the Heartland Polka Swingers and would travel to many states to dance. Besides dancing together, Shirley and Henry enjoyed camping with their family and friends.

Together, Shirley and Henry welcomed three children: Carol, Curtis and Kelly The family enjoyed living by South Lake Victoria for over sixty years, and also enjoyed the many walks, nature hikes, and times spent swimming at both Lake Victoria and Lake Burgen. Shirley especially enjoyed these things when the grandchildren started to arrive. She also liked to take her grandchildren to Inspiration Peak every fall. Then, on the way always stopping at “Our Lady of the Hills” to say a little prayer.

Shirley will forever be remembered for her flower gardens, her meticulous planning, and her love of playing cards with her family whom she loved dearly, especially her grandchildren. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Carol Mayer of Alexandria, Kelly (Larry) Schultz of Alexandria, Curt Kluver of Loveland, Colorado; grandchildren: Randy (Ginger) Mayer, Alyssa Kluver, Jared Kluver, Justin Schultz, Megan Schultz, Connor Schultz; great-grandchildren: Hannah Mayer, Tayler Mayer, Kaden Kluver; siblings: Richard (Marlys) Dropik, Dale (Joann) Dropik, Arlene Thoennes, Beverly Thoennes, Patty Hartman, Diane Dropik, Judy Koep; as well as many other beloved family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Ida; her husband, Henry; brother, Willis “Bill” Dropik; sister, Betsy (Charlie) Yuetter, son-in-law, Jon Mayer; and brothers-in-law: Richard Thoennes, Arnold Thoennes, Basil Hartman, and Roman Koep.

Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria is in charge of arrangements for Shirley.