KLINKENBORG, Esther Hattie (Klaassen) 1922 - 1996

KLAASSEN, KLINKENBORG

Posted By: K. Kittleson (email)
Date: 8/1/2007 at 16:33:14

Esther Hattie (Klaassen) Klinkenborg was born June 16, 1922 at George, Iowa, the daughter of John and Edith (Klaassen) Klaassen. She was baptized at Zoar Presbyterian Church in rural George, and grew up in the Little Rock area, graduating from Little Rock High School in 1941. After high school Esther attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa for a year. After her education Esther worked at the creamery in Sibley, Iowa for a period of time.

July 7, 1943 She married Everon L. Kinkenborg at First Baptist Church in Luverne, Minnesota. Everon was in the service at the time of their marriage and because of this Esther moved to live at military bases in Augusta, Georgia and San Antonio, Texas.

While living in San Antonio Esther worked at the largest department store in Texas. After World War II Esther and Everon returned to Iowa and began farming near Rock Rapids. Life on the farm was busy for Esther. She helped where she was needed, but Esther's true responsibility was the caring and raising of their eight children. In spite of the demands of the family and farm, Everon and Esther did enjoy doing some traveling.

They were also active and longtime members of Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock. Esther was known in the area for her exceptional baking and especially her meringue pies.

For the past three years her health declined and last Tuesday, June 18th, Esther died at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At the time of her death, June 18, 1996, she was 74 years and two days old.

Surviving are her husband of 52 years, Everon of Rock Rapids, along with eight children and their spouses: Myron and Mary Klinkenborg of Rock Rapids; Jim and Jean Klinkenborg of Sibley, Iowa; Davis, Randy, Merle and Kae, and Jerry Klinkenborg all of Rock Rapids; Donna and Ron Ohling of Sioux Falls, and Tom and Audra Klinkenborg of Rock Rapids. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and ten brothers and sisters: Harmon Klaassen of Worthington, Minn., Helena Sprock of Rock Rapids, Raymond Klaassen of Ellsworth, Minnesota, Ruth Van Westen of Luverne, Minn., Alma DeBuhr of Rock Rapids, Alfred Klaassen of Ellsworth, Minn., Lois Snitselaar of Livermore, Calif., John Klaassen of Sioux Falls, Ronald Klaassen of Lakewood, Calif., and Erma Wagenaar of Adrian, Minn.

Preceding Esther in death were her parents, a brother, Paul Klaassen and a granddaughter, Melanie Klinkenborg.

Funeral services were held on Friday June 21, 1996, at Salem Reformed Church of Little Rock, Iowa. Burial was in the Pleasant View Cemetery, Little Rock, Iowa. The Roste Funeral Home of Rock Rapids was in charge of the arrangements.

Submitted by Sherrilyn Klaassen