Alfons Robert Kleindienst

Alfons Robert Kleindienst (Al) was born in March 26, 1930 in Washington D.C. to Alfons G. Kleindienst and Mathilde Kleindienst. He departed this earth to join his parents in heaven on July 10th 2017. Al proudly served his country as a member of the 60thEngineering Company of the US Army during the Korean War. After the war he joined his parents in New Orleans where he met the love of his life, Carol Jackson. They were wed on February 17th 1957 and blessed with 6 children. As a youth, Al learned the baking trade while apprenticing at bakeries owned by his cousins in Highland Park, IL and Sewickley, PA. On September 12th 1959 Al opened Metairie Bakery which was located at 2019 Metairie Road. The bakery was a major success within the community operating for 21 years serving the best french bread, German rye bread, pretzels, cakes and donuts available anywhere. After the closing of the bakery in 1981, Al worked for several years as a District Manager for McKenzie’s and then spent 15 years working for the US Postal Service before retiring.

Al was a passionate collector, historian and author of many items but most important to him were German beer steins and New Orleans Brewabilia. He was a member of the SCI, BAA and BCCA. Al was known locally as “Mr. Jax” as he amassed one of the most impressive collections of Jax Beer items ever assembled. His collection was featured in TV segments on Naturally New Orleans with Frank Davis and the WDSU Morning Edition with Alec Gifford, as well as Times Picayune news paper articles by Angus Linde and WYES Documentaries.

Al will be missed greatly by his surviving family; Brother Rolf, Wife Carol, Children; Karen (soul mate Dewayne), Sharon, Robert (wife Dawn), Heidi (husband Dave), Karla (husband Harold) and Kurt (wife Donna) and 8 grand children; Richie, Robyn (Tommy), Christian, Samantha, Emily, Zack (Kadi), Cullen and Michael. He will also missed by 3 great grandchildren, Lucy, Emma and Gavin.

Al was a member of the American Legion Post 175 and VFW Post 6640. A funeral mass will be held at St Mary Magdalen Church located at 6425 West Metairie Avenue in Metairie on Friday, July 21st at 1:00 p.m. A ceremony will follow at the American Legion Hall 175 located at 2431 Metairie Road from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. All family, friends and members of the American Legion and VFW are welcome to attend.