Peter M. Kleinschmidt

Peter Michael Kleinschmidt, age 60, of Winona, passed away on Friday, November 24th, surrounded by his family and close friends at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN after a long battle with cancer.

Peter was born on February 28th, 1963 in La Crosse, WI to Michael and Mary (Murray) Kleinschmidt, the oldest of seven children. From early childhood and throughout adulthood, Peter was always curious about the world and excited to discuss what he knew. A good friend fondly recalled that he and Peter would spend their recess time circling the playground, laughing and sharing news about the latest technology and current events.

In 1981, Peter graduated from Lourdes High School in Rochester and in 1985 completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He proceeded to work at a national audio equipment business in Minneapolis and quickly became one of the top salesmen in the company. To satiate his love of learning and sharing his knowledge with others, he decided to pursue a master’s degree in Education at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and taught a high school computer course in Fall Creek, WI as part of the curriculum. His students appreciated his unique teaching style and some of them became lifelong friends.

In 1992, Peter joined his father's land surveying business (Kleinschmidt Surveying) and they worked proudly together for 30 years, serving clients in Winona, Houston, Buffalo, and Trempealeau Counties. “Peter had a way with people,” his father was often heard saying, “he could always calm them down whenever there was a boundary dispute between neighbors.” Peter loved Winona and would spend his free time volunteering for cultural and arts organizations and advocating for ways to make the community a better and safer place to live.

As part of the LGBTQ+ community, Peter’s openness to people’s differences was reflected by his ongoing interest in learning more about other cultures and perspectives. Always up for a lively debate, he would research topics thoroughly and enjoyed the banter and challenge of responding to a viewpoint he had not yet considered. Peter will be remembered for his generous heart, inviting smile, boisterous laugh, and love for helping others. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Peter is lovingly survived by his siblings: Peggy (John) Krenik, Anne (James) Monette, Teresa Kleinschmidt, Linda (Mark Olson) Kleinschmidt, Joseph Kleinschmidt, and Daniel (Catherine) Kleinschmidt; his former partner ChunLok Mah; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM until the service at 11 AM on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home in Winona with a reception following immediately. Deacon Justin Green will officiate. Peter will be laid to rest beside his father and mother in a family ceremony at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation https://www.npcf.us/memorial-giving or Outfront Minnesota https://www.outfront.org/support-outfront-minnesota.

Online condolences and memories may be left for Peter’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.