
Jim Klobuchar

James John Klobuchar ( ; April 9, 1928 – May 12, 2021) was an American journalist, author, columnist and travel guide from Minnesota. He wrote for the "Star Tribune" in Minneapolis for three decades, and wrote an occasional column for "The Christian Science Monitor". He was the father of Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.
Early life.
Klobuchar was born in Ely, Minnesota, the son of Mary (Pucel) and Michael Klobuchar. His grandparents were all from Slovenia, and the surname Klobučar means "hatter" in Slovenian. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from Ely Junior College (now Vermilion Community College) in 1948 and a Bachelor of Arts, "cum laude", from the University of Minnesota in 1950.
Career.
Klobuchar served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. He worked as a wire editor for the "Bismarck Tribune" in North Dakota in 1950 and as a legislative reporter from 1952 to 1953.
He worked as a staff writer for the Associated Press in Minneapolis from 1953 to 1961 and with the "Minneapolis Tribune" from 1961 to 1965. He became a columnist for the "Minneapolis Star" starting in 1965.
Personal life.
Klobuchar married Rose Heuberger August 7, 1954 and had two children, Amy and Meagan. They divorced in 1976.
During much of his life Klobuchar was an avid cyclist, and led the "Jaunt With Jim" group bicycle ride for 39 years.
Health and death.
Towards the end of Klobuchar's life, he had Alzheimer's disease. He died at a care facility in Burnsville, Minnesota on May 12, 2021, at age 93. Amy Klobuchar announced the death, saying about her father, "He loved journalism. He loved sports and adventure. And we loved him." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also paid tribute, stating "Our press community lost a giant in Jim Klobuchar's passing." Plans were also made to bury him in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.