
Michael Klane King left on his spiritual journey April 30, 2024, at the age of 70 years. He is the beloved husband of Angela (White Grass) King. He is also survived by Thelma Murphy (in Hawaii), Rhonda (Charles) Blood, Carla (Fred) Weasel Fat, Carlton King; Kara King, RJ King, nieces and nephews, Pamelynn Blood, Cameron Blood, Charles Jr. Blood, Charmaine (Brandon Big Bull), Sarah (Jeremiah) Many Bears.
Michael Klane was born on September 29, 1953, to the Late Raymond and Isabella King of the Blood Tribe in Standoff, Alberta.
In his early years many knew him as Michael, eventually he liked to be called Klane, I knew him as Klane. I thought his name Klane King had a very unusual ring to it and loved to hear it. Klane loved his two children Kara and RJ (who was also named Klane but to his dad he was RJ). The stories he had about his children were filled with love and admiration. Klane always wanted grandchildren and he would say that “I think I scared my kids from having babies because I said I would steal them and take them to live with me in the US.” RJ eventually gave him a granddaughter Bailey, whom he was raising with his sister Kara. When I met Klane, he had 4 stepchildren Melissa, Kisha, Don and Samantha, as well as grandchildren Raven, Dawni-Rae, Tiyaz, Nevaeh, Harlee and Tassie who he got to know for 11 years. Tassie became “his baby” and he was known has her “FaFa.” The two of them were inseparable and loved each other to no end.
Klane had multiple interests and talents that took him to different areas of the world. His love and curiosity for knowledge, music, books. photography and electronics were never-ending, especially his music. Klane could be seen spending many hours on his laptop, downloading music and organizing them into files and making sure that each song had a quality sound. This was because of his job at the Indian News Media where his interest in Media and video production began. After he left this job he was asked to develop and teach a video production program in Penticton, BC., which he often spoke about. Klane had a great sense of adventure which led him to divulge his interests. He loved to tell stories of his childhood with his family and friends on the Blood Reserve, I loved to hear them because he was a very animated storyteller. His storytelling and writing helped him produce ‘The Last Mooseskin Boat (1982)’ and ‘Long Lance (1986).’ Eventually, he recorded many elders’ stories throughout the Blackfoot Confederacy.
Klane was very proud of becoming the only one of 16 recruits to complete the training and became a tribal police officer in Browning, MT. His stories of the calls he would attend were often heart wrenching and at times hilarious, eventually the BIA took over the policing and his interests took him elsewhere. Klane loved becoming a fire fighter which became his passion in Canada but mostly in the United States. His determination and love for firefighting took him to become a Chief Mountain Hot Shot and was proud to be the oldest member at the time. He often said that he would still be firefighting if his health had not become an issue.
Klane’s love for adventure took him to travel to many places like Istanbul, Turkey, which he often said he wanted to take me. Any time something on TV or in the movies would mention Istanbul, he would be glued to it and tell me more stories of his time spent there. This love for adventure took him to Morgantown, West Virginia, which I got to visit with him and witnessed his love for storytelling and educating staff and students on his love for the Blackfoot people. He always said that his heart belonged to West Virginia and his favourite college football team became the West Virginia University Mountaineers. The song ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’ often brought back fond memories of the people he met and loved. They will forever be in his heart.
If I were to mention all the adventures of Klane’s life, I would have to write a book about his many stories and employment that he had. His thirst for all that life had to offer, kept him quite busy. The good as well as the bad, either way his storytelling was phenomenal. I admired and loved his thirst for life and was very honored to be the recipient of this love that he so eagerly wanted to share with me. For 11 years I was blessed to be a big part of Klane’s adventures and eventually had our own stories to tell and share. This I will greatly miss as his new adventure took him but this time he is with his loved ones that he often shared stories of with me. Klane became a member of the Horn Society, the Crazy Dog Society, and the Headdress Society.
Klane was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Isabella (Many Feathers) King. His brothers, Courtney, Raynard and Charlie: his sister Gavina, his nephew Neal, and his brother-in-law Lawrence. Klane was a very proud grandson of Nicholas King whom he often talked about. His special friend Denny No Runner and those he hung out with Pierre Many Chief, Manual Blood and Clarence Hoof.
Klane will be sadly missed by his extended families which include the Eagle Childs, Crow Chiefs, Eagle Plumes, Red Crows, Eagle Bears and Little Lights. Also, families from the Many Children and All Tall People Clans. The family apologizes for anyone that is missed for Klane had many families and friends who he graced their lives.
A Wake Service will be held on Thursday, May 9 at Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 10 at Gladstone Hall at 11:00 am. The Interment will take place at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off.
Michael Klane was born on September 29, 1953, to the Late Raymond and Isabella King of the Blood Tribe in Standoff, Alberta.
In his early years many knew him as Michael, eventually he liked to be called Klane, I knew him as Klane. I thought his name Klane King had a very unusual ring to it and loved to hear it. Klane loved his two children Kara and RJ (who was also named Klane but to his dad he was RJ). The stories he had about his children were filled with love and admiration. Klane always wanted grandchildren and he would say that “I think I scared my kids from having babies because I said I would steal them and take them to live with me in the US.” RJ eventually gave him a granddaughter Bailey, whom he was raising with his sister Kara. When I met Klane, he had 4 stepchildren Melissa, Kisha, Don and Samantha, as well as grandchildren Raven, Dawni-Rae, Tiyaz, Nevaeh, Harlee and Tassie who he got to know for 11 years. Tassie became “his baby” and he was known has her “FaFa.” The two of them were inseparable and loved each other to no end.
Klane had multiple interests and talents that took him to different areas of the world. His love and curiosity for knowledge, music, books. photography and electronics were never-ending, especially his music. Klane could be seen spending many hours on his laptop, downloading music and organizing them into files and making sure that each song had a quality sound. This was because of his job at the Indian News Media where his interest in Media and video production began. After he left this job he was asked to develop and teach a video production program in Penticton, BC., which he often spoke about. Klane had a great sense of adventure which led him to divulge his interests. He loved to tell stories of his childhood with his family and friends on the Blood Reserve, I loved to hear them because he was a very animated storyteller. His storytelling and writing helped him produce ‘The Last Mooseskin Boat (1982)’ and ‘Long Lance (1986).’ Eventually, he recorded many elders’ stories throughout the Blackfoot Confederacy.
Klane was very proud of becoming the only one of 16 recruits to complete the training and became a tribal police officer in Browning, MT. His stories of the calls he would attend were often heart wrenching and at times hilarious, eventually the BIA took over the policing and his interests took him elsewhere. Klane loved becoming a fire fighter which became his passion in Canada but mostly in the United States. His determination and love for firefighting took him to become a Chief Mountain Hot Shot and was proud to be the oldest member at the time. He often said that he would still be firefighting if his health had not become an issue.
Klane’s love for adventure took him to travel to many places like Istanbul, Turkey, which he often said he wanted to take me. Any time something on TV or in the movies would mention Istanbul, he would be glued to it and tell me more stories of his time spent there. This love for adventure took him to Morgantown, West Virginia, which I got to visit with him and witnessed his love for storytelling and educating staff and students on his love for the Blackfoot people. He always said that his heart belonged to West Virginia and his favourite college football team became the West Virginia University Mountaineers. The song ‘Take Me Home Country Roads’ often brought back fond memories of the people he met and loved. They will forever be in his heart.
If I were to mention all the adventures of Klane’s life, I would have to write a book about his many stories and employment that he had. His thirst for all that life had to offer, kept him quite busy. The good as well as the bad, either way his storytelling was phenomenal. I admired and loved his thirst for life and was very honored to be the recipient of this love that he so eagerly wanted to share with me. For 11 years I was blessed to be a big part of Klane’s adventures and eventually had our own stories to tell and share. This I will greatly miss as his new adventure took him but this time he is with his loved ones that he often shared stories of with me. Klane became a member of the Horn Society, the Crazy Dog Society, and the Headdress Society.
Klane was predeceased by his parents Raymond and Isabella (Many Feathers) King. His brothers, Courtney, Raynard and Charlie: his sister Gavina, his nephew Neal, and his brother-in-law Lawrence. Klane was a very proud grandson of Nicholas King whom he often talked about. His special friend Denny No Runner and those he hung out with Pierre Many Chief, Manual Blood and Clarence Hoof.
Klane will be sadly missed by his extended families which include the Eagle Childs, Crow Chiefs, Eagle Plumes, Red Crows, Eagle Bears and Little Lights. Also, families from the Many Children and All Tall People Clans. The family apologizes for anyone that is missed for Klane had many families and friends who he graced their lives.
A Wake Service will be held on Thursday, May 9 at Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve from 6:00 – 11:00 pm. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 10 at Gladstone Hall at 11:00 am. The Interment will take place at St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Stand Off.