Jim Klobuchar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jim Klobuchar
Klobuchar campaigning for his daughter Amy Klobuchar for U.S. Senator on July 4, 2012, in Tower, Minnesota
Born	James John Klobuchar (1928-04-09)April 9, 1928 Ely, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	May 12, 2021(2021-05-12) (aged 93) Burnsville, Minnesota, U.S.
Education	Ely Junior College (AA) University of Minnesota (BA)
Occupation	Journalist
Employer	Star Tribune
Spouse(s)	Rose Heuberger ​ ​ (m. 1954; div. 1976)​
Children	2, including Amy
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1950–1952
Rank	Corporal

James John Klobuchar (April 9, 1928 – May 12, 2021) was an American journalist, author, and newspaper writer from Minnesota. He was known for his long career at the Star Tribune newspaper in Minneapolis. Jim Klobuchar was a popular reporter who covered both sports and politics.

He was famous for being the first reporter in the entire country to announce that John F. Kennedy had won the 1960 presidential election against Richard Nixon. Jim Klobuchar was also the father of Amy Klobuchar, who is currently a U.S. Senator for Minnesota. Before becoming a senator, she was the attorney for Hennepin County.

Early Life and Education

Jim Klobuchar was born in Ely, Minnesota. His parents were Mary (Pucel) and Michael Klobuchar. All of his grandparents came from Slovenia. The family name "Klobučar" means "hatter" in Slovenian.

He went to Ely Junior College (now called Vermilion Community College) and earned an Associate of Arts degree in 1948. After that, he studied at the University of Minnesota, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950. He graduated with honors.

Journalism Career

Klobuchar served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1952. He reached the rank of corporal. After his military service, he began his career in journalism.

• In 1950, he worked as an editor for the Bismarck Tribune in North Dakota.
• From 1952 to 1953, he was a reporter covering laws and government.
• He joined the Associated Press in Minneapolis as a staff writer from 1953 to 1961.
• From 1961 to 1965, he worked for the Minneapolis Tribune.
• In 1965, he became a regular writer, called a columnist, for the Minneapolis Star. In this role, he wrote about both sports and politics.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Jim Klobuchar married Rose Heuberger on August 7, 1954. They had two daughters, Amy and Meagan. They later divorced in 1976.

Throughout much of his life, Jim Klobuchar loved cycling. He even led a group bicycle ride called "Jaunt With Jim" for 39 years. This shows he was very active and enjoyed outdoor adventures.

Later Years and Passing

Towards the end of his life, Jim Klobuchar faced Alzheimer's disease. He passed away at a care facility in Burnsville, Minnesota, on May 12, 2021. He was 93 years old.

His daughter, Amy Klobuchar, announced his death. She said that her father "loved journalism. He loved sports and adventure. And we loved him." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also shared his thoughts, saying that the news community "lost a giant" when Jim Klobuchar passed away. Plans were made for him to be buried at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Books Written by Jim Klobuchar

Jim Klobuchar was also an author and wrote many books. Here are some of them:

• The Zest (and Best) of Klobuchar, 1967.
• True Hearts and Purple Heads, 1970.
• Tarkenton, 1976. (Co-authored with Fran Tarkenton)
• Will the Vikings Ever Win the Super Bowl? An Inside Look at the Minnesota Vikings of 1976, with Jeff Siemon's journal, 1977.
• Will America Accept Love at Halftime?, 1992.
• Minstrel: My Adventure in Newspapering, 1997.
• Pursued by Grace: A Newspaperman's Own Story of Spiritual Recovery, 1998.
• The Cross Under the Acacia Tree: The Story of David and Eunice Simonson's Epic Mission in Africa, 1999.
• Knights and Knaves of Autumn: 40 Years of Pro Football and the Minnesota Vikings, 2000.
• Sixty Minutes with God, 2003.
• Walking Briskly Toward the Sunset, 2005.

See also

In Spanish: Jim Klobuchar para niños