Frank Edward Klune
Burial Details
Obituaries
Herald Democrat - October 16, 2008
Frank Edward Klune Jr.
Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008 12:00 am
Frank Edward Klune, Jr. died Monday, Oct. 6, at Vail Valley Medical Center. He was 88 years old.
He was born in Leadville on Nov. 5, 1919. His parents were the late Frank E. and Pauline (Bozig) Klune.
Klune went to St. Mary's Elementary School and graduated from Leadville High School. He then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After receiving an honorable discharge, Klune returned to Leadville where he worked in his father's business, the Central Grocery Store.
But his true talent lay elsewhere. His intense love of nature and the mountains came naturally from a long and intimate association with the outdoors. Klune went on to become a renowned, recognized expert in scenic photography.
His pictures have appeared in virtually every major magazine in the United States, including Life and Time, and in numerous publications worldwide. In Colorado he is especially known for the beautiful waterfall photos he did for Coors Brewing Co., followed by Budweiser, Bush Bavarian and Lucky Lager. Even Conoco used one of Klune's photos on a highway billboard. His pictures were used in the most prestigious calendars and in the 1970s Klune's photos appeared weekly on the cover of the Denver Post Empire Magazine.
His favorite outdoor sport was dry fly fishing, which he pursued as often as possible, along with deer and elk hunting and mountain climbing.
Klune was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and also the Slovenian Lodge, K.S.K.J.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Helen Klune Mazi.
Klune is survived by his sister, Pauline Klune of Leadville; one niece, Nancy Tadlock; and nephews Alan and Paul Mazi.
The rosary was recited on Thursday, Oct. 9, and Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, Oct. 10, both at St. Joseph Church in Leadville. The Reverend Gus Stewart officiated, and Joan Dawson sang accompanied by Jean Elliott.
He was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers were Joe and Anton Purkat, Bill Skala, Art DuPont, Kenneth Clune and John Glavinick.
Following the interment, the family received friends at a reception at the parish hall.
Arrangements were handled by Bailey Funeral Home.
