Avis Klinkhammer, age 86, of Valley City, ND, reunited with her husband on Wednesday, June 5th at her residence at Legacy Place surrounded by her loving family on Hospice of the Red River Valley Care.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 13th at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Valley City.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church.  A vigil service will be held at 7:00 PM Wednesday evening at the church.  Interment will be in St. Catherine's Catholic Cemetery.

Avis was born June 13th, 1937 in New Rockford, North Dakota to Arthur and Nora (Carroll) Dafoe. She graduated from Saint Catherine's School in 1955 and graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1958.  She married her soulmate, Tom Klinkhammer, on December 26th, 1959, and together they raised three children.

Avis was a phenomenal nurse. She started her career on the pediatric floor at Mercy Hospital, worked many years at Valley City Clinic for Dr. Klein and Dr. Goven, and concluded her career as a public health nurse for City County Health. She was a compassionate, generous caregiver who treated everyone she encountered with kindness and respect. She truly loved her patients, and they loved her.

Avis volunteered at Saint Catherine's Catholic Church in many capacities. She was a communion distributer who went to shut-ins, the nursing home, and Mercy Hospital. She also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, hospice, and Hi Soaring Eagle Ranch.

Avis was an avid Vikings (Minnesota and Valley City) fan.  She loved reading, watching sports, visiting friends, spending time with family, and telling countless stories. She loved taking part in activities at the Legacy Place and enjoyed the friends she made there.

Avis's family and friends will cherish her kind soul. She wore her heart on her sleeve and extended her love to everyone she met. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandparent.  Her nieces and nephews remember her as the fun aunt.  Her children and grandchildren could always count on her to attend their music, school, and sporting events.  Even when she couldn't make it physically in her later years, she tuned in and watched virtually.

Avis was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; parents, Nora and Art; mother-in-law, Margaret; brother, Dennis; brothers-in-laws, Robert, Dick, and Merlin; sisters-in-law, Rita and Darlene; nieces, Kay and Jean; and great nephew, Gustavo.

Avis is survived by her three children, Gayle (Cory) Nelson, Dennis (Lori) Klinkhammer, Nancy (Mike) Ellis; grandchildren, Nick Klinkhammer, Leah Nelson, Courtney (Kevin Keller) Klinkhammer, Alec Nelson, Tommy Ellis, and Kara Ellis; great-grandchild, Matilda; sisters, Peggy (Dale) Koppelman and Carroll (Kenny) Berntson; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Avis's family extends their gratitude to the staff of Legacy Place. Words cannot express their gratitude for the quality of care she received as a resident. They also thank  Hospice of the Red River Valley Hospice for their compassionate care in her final moments.