Lawrence M. Kjeldgaard, of Ellis Ave., Springville, died Friday October 12, 2018 at Mercy Hospital, Buffalo at the age of 82.

He was born June 18, 1936 in Lancaster, New York a son of the late Louis Chester and Margaret Ann (nee McLeod) Kjeldgaard. He was a graduate of Williamsville South High School, where he played on the high school golf team and served in the U. S. Navy Reserves. He was a welder for Union Carbide - Lindy Division in North Tonawanda. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Springville. He was active in his church and enjoyed golfing.

His wife - Phyllis Rae (nee Shade) Kjeldgaard whom he married in 1982 died September 4, 2017.

He is survived by his children - Ron (Ann Marie) Kjeldgaard of Depew, Linda (John) Zilliox of Wheatfield, Dan Kjeldgaard of Buffalo, Lawrence Kjeldgaard of Nashville, TN; step-children - Thomas (Joanne) Brown of Clarence, Sharon (John) Danna of Hamburg, Susan (Dale) Ziegelhofer of Hamburg, Shannon (Deb Seneway) Brown of Chattanooga, TN, Theresa (John Molnar) Ellington of Hamburg, Tammy (Stacy) Rice of Springville, Jill (Mike) McCoy of San Jose, CA; a sister - Janet Valentine of Ft. Myers, FL; 15 grandchildren, one great-grandson, several nieces and nephews and the mother of his children - Martha L. Kjeldgaard of Buffalo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers - Nelson and Louis D. Kjeldgaard.

Friends may call Monday October 15, 2018 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Smith-Weismantel Funeral Home, 271 E. Main St., Springville. Funeral services will be held Tuesday October 16, 2018 at 11 am in the First United Methodist Church, 474 E. Main St., Springville.

Memorials may be made to the Yancey County Humane Society, 962 Cane River School Rd., Burnsville, NC 28714.

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