04/03/2026
This weekend marks 50 years of my dad, Dan Kleve, owning and operating The Lake Bowl. 🎳
What started as a family business run by the entire Kleve family eventually became something my dad carried forward as the sole owner, and for five decades he has poured his time, energy, and heart into keeping The Lake Bowl a special place for our community.
Years ago, The Lake Bowl wasn’t just bowling, it also had a full restaurant open 7 days a week. Many still remember the broasted chicken, the coleslaw, pizza burgers, and all the good times shared around those tables. Back then there were leagues every night of the week, with afternoon leagues and even two evening shifts (7 pm and 9 pm!) during weekdays. Saturdays meant junior bowling and a building full of kids learning the game.
As his daughters, we quite literally grew up there. We celebrated birthdays at The Lake Bowl, hosted holiday gatherings, and begged Dan to open the doors when it was closed so we could invite friends over just to bowl for fun.
In the mid-90s, when the restaurant portion closed and my sisters and I were young, Dan made the decision to take summers off to be with us. He spent those years running us to swim lessons, T-ball, and whatever adventures we could find. Then every year before school started, we helped him get the bowling alley ready for the season—cleaning every bowling ball, every pin, the windows, the shoes—everything. Nearly 30 years later, that tradition continues, and now his grandchildren help get The Lake Bowl ready for fall.
Today, Dan still runs leagues 4–5 nights a week and hosts open bowling on weekends. And in the summers, he enjoys one of his other favorite places—working out at Albion Ridges golf course. ⛳
Over the past 50 years, he’s met thousands of bowlers and visitors. Many of those relationships have turned into lifelong friendships, and truly, extended family.
He’s also quietly supported our communities of Howard Lake, Waverly, and Winsted in countless ways:
• Sponsoring candidates in the Howard Lake Royalty program for many years and still hosting their annual Christmas bowling party
• Supporting school activities, athletics, and after-prom events
• Donating to local fire departments and charities whenever help was needed
• Hosting middle school students from HLWW each year to learn bowling and hand scoring—and making sure every student could participate, regardless of ability to pay
For a man who has given so much back to this community over the past 50 years, I have one simple favor to ask:
PLEASE share a memory (or several!) you have of Dan at The Lake Bowl in the comments below.
I would love nothing more than to show him just how much this community appreciates him as he reaches this incredible milestone. ❤️
***Dan will have OPEN BOWLING this Saturday from 2:30-6 pm, please go visit and congratulate him on 50 years!*** He will be closed Easter Sunday.
