By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
For more than a century, four generations of the Klotz family have been the trusted green thumbs of Bowling Green.
The family began in 1918 by peddling produce using a horse-drawn wagon. They grew to sell flowers and vegetable plants – paired with plenty of friendly gardening advice. And they delivered floral arrangements marking important occasions of joy and loss in the community.
But come June 26, Gene and Rita Klotz, will be retiring and closing the business at 906 Napoleon Road. The decision was tough, but the couple is ready to explore life beyond work.
“You wake up thinking about it. You go to bed thinking about it,” Gene Klotz said.
And the work is getting a little harder as the years go by.
“Mentally, I feel like I’m 50, but then when I start to move …”
Though bittersweet, Klotz is comfortable with the decision to sell the 27 acres to Bob Maurer.
“My father would be fine with what’s happening,” he said. “He’s not turning over in his grave.”
The business began with Gene’s grandparents, Frank and Mae Klotz, who were both deaf. It was carried on by his parents, Merle and Wilhelmine Klotz, who traded a 12-gauge Winchester shotgun so they could expand the business by adding hot beds to start seedlings.
In Gene’s wallet is a business card with his dad’s philosophy.
“There are two books that should be read by every member of the family: The Holy Bible, which tells of the miracles of God, and the seed catalog, which proves it.”
Gene grew up in the business – living right next door in the space that is now the business office. He learned to love working in the dirt, and earned his first money by growing plants in cigar boxes.
In the beginning, produce was the big seller. “You grew whatever you could eat,” Klotz said. “That was hard work.”
Gradually, the family began offering flowers in addition to food. Pansies and geraniums were the first to take root.
The business and family blossomed – with Gene marrying Rita, who he had first met at their church, St. Mark’s Lutheran. The couple has worked together for 51 years.
“Not a lot of people can say that,” he said with a smile.
Their son, Eric, joined them in the business. But he, too, is interested in exploring a new path. “He’s going to pursue other things,” Gene said.
Klotz realizes local residents have come to count on him for healthy flowers and solid gardening advice.
“I know it’s a loss for Bowling Green right now,” he said.
The loyal customers come like clockwork to the business every spring to load up on wave petunias and vegetables for container gardening. And they get the added bonus of the tadpoles, the chickens, and Gene’s “therapy bunnies” named Biscuit and Gravy.
“People love seeing them,” Klotz said.
For years, people coming for flowers could count on seeing Gene’s large lumbering yellow lab named Tucker. “He was a good one,” he said.
As the closing date nears, Klotz has moved his business memorabilia to his garage just down Napoleon Road. The walls of his “museum” are covered with memories of the business, his fishing successes, his work with the BG Kiwanis Club and his connections with BGSU athletics.
Klotz’s life is already full outside of work. He has been a Kiwanis member for nearly 50 years, rarely missing a volunteer opportunity. He and Rita are steadfast fans of BGSU basketball, football and volleyball.
He is an experienced angler – with a freezer full of walleye and perch. Now that COVID restrictions are being lifted, Klotz is hoping he can get back to feeding the BGSU basketball team and others his famous fish dinners.
After June 26, Klotz hopes he and Rita can take big journeys to national parks, and little jaunts to local county parks.
“Maybe we’ll take a picnic lunch and check them out,” he said.
His new philosophy will be: “Instead of living at work, it’s time to work at living.”
