Needham, Hattie Lavon (Klein)

NEEDHAM, KLEIN, MESSAMAKER

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/20/2005 at 23:44:23

Hattie Lavon Klein was born on February 4, 1921, in Marion County to Anthony G. and Minnie Messamaker Klein.

She received her education in the Pella Public Schools. As a young girl, she began working at the overall factory and the canning factory in Pella.

On April 5, 1939, she was united in marriage with Delmar Floyd Needham at Lancaster, Mo. Following their marriage, she continued working at the overall factory while her husband was employed in the coal mines at Otley and Monroe.

Besides working at the factory, she also helped her mother care for her invalid brother, Charles Klein, and helped her sister, Jeanette Wichhart, raise her family.
For 21 years Delmar Needham was employed at the Rolscreen Company in Pella until his unexpected death on March 16, 1980. Following his death, Hattie Needham continued living in their home at 105 Prairie Street in Pella.

In 1990 Needham became a resident in Inn Care at the Pella Regional Health Center, where she resided for two years. In 1992 she became a resident at Hilltop Manor South, until her health declined and she was transferred to the Griffin Nursing Center in Knoxville in May of 2003. In November 2003, she was transferred to the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center, where she passed away on July 17, at the age of 83 years.

Needham is survived by her youngest sister, Carolyn and her husband, Ivan Chapman of Pella; her sister-in-law, Audrey (Roy) Klein of Pella; and a brother-in-law, Gerald (Dorothy Needham) Brooks of Fort Worth, Texas. She leaves a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar; her parents Anthony G. and Minnie Klein; three sisters Jeanette (Adam) Wichhart; Cornelia Lucille (Harry) Bennett and Edna (Felix) Torres; and her three brothers - a brother who died in infancy, Charles A. Klein and Roy E. Klein.

Needham lived a very active life. She was always ready to help someone who needed help. She was a very loving and caring person. She enjoyed camping, fishing, attending the Iowa State Fair, her extended family and just being a friend.

The funeral service was Tuesday in the Chapel of Van Dyk- Duven Funeral Home, Pella. Rev. Ron L. Freeborn, officiated. Interment was in Oakwood Cemetery, Pella.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, August 19, 2004