Kaye Olmsted Klein

KLEIN, OLMSTED

Posted By: Treva Patterson (email)
Date: 2/12/2006 at 15:39:10

KAYE OLMSTED KLEIN

Des Moines Register
July 2003

Kaye Olmsted Klein was liberated from the confinements of her body at 2:40 a.m. July 1, 2003. Funeral services will be held at Hamilton's Funeral Home in Des Moines on July 10 at 11.a.m. Internment will be at the Winterset Cemetery.

Kathryn Eldora Olmsted was born November 20, 1919, daughter of Rex and Harriet Olmsted in Winterset. Raised and educated there, Kaye excelled in art and literature graduating first in her class scholastically. Kaye's lust for life and learning led her through many vocations. She worked as a cosmetologist after graduating. In the late 1930's she became a professional hand model and exhibition ball-room dancer. The post war years found her at the front desk of the Register and Tribune. It was at the Register that she met her husband, Aaron Leo "Chuck" Klein. Chuck was the young new editor fresh from New Jersey. Together they raised their son, Gregory and daughter, Kathy. Kaye was involved in scouting and school activities for both of her children. She was a member of Eastern Star, a Daughter of the American Revolution and was active in the Lutheran Women's Circle. Her beauty and her gentle spirit was expressed in all she did. Her home and garden, shared with friends and neighbors, was a source of delight to all. She loved animals and hers dogs could always be found at her feet.

This elegant and eloquent woman was best known to the Des Moines community for sharing her great wealth of knowledge in meditation and Yoga practice. An early pioneer in offering Yoga to the Westerner, Kaye taught for over 25 years through Adult Education. She often offered as many as nine classes a week. She still found time to take Yoga to the elderly, disabled and incarcerated through community outreach programs. Kaye and her Yoga practice was featured in the cartoons of Frank Miller and articles in the Register and local publications. "Around Iowa" produced a televised feature of Kaye and her classes. Kaye spent the final years of her life in daughter's home in Northern CA where she died peacefully with the same grace in which she lived her life.

She is survived by her husband Chuck, her son and daughter-in-law, Greg and Susan; her beloved grandson Kristopher; and her daughter, Kathy, who like so many other students will miss and cherish her always.