Klein, Kathleen A. 1923-2009

KLEIN, WILDSCHUTZ, RICKE

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 9/4/2009 at 11:01:47

Kathleen A. Klein, 86, of Remsen, died Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, at Floyd Valley Hospital, Le Mars.

Kathleen A. Klein was born Aug. 21, 1923, at Granville, the daughter of Henry and Mary (Wildschutz) Ricke. Kathleen received her education at a country school in Granville. She resided at home with her parents and did domestic work in the Granville area.

On Oct. 6, 1947, she married Melvin J. “Jim” Klein at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Granville. The couple made their home in Remsen before moving to the family farm. The couple farmed near Remsen until 1978 when they retired and moved back into town. Kathleen entered the Happy Siesta Health Care Center May 12, 2008.

Kathleen was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who kept a beautiful home. She loved to quilt, bake, cook, craft, raise flowers, garden, play cards, and bowl. She was also responsible for naming the Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen.

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters of America, Christian Mothers, Peer Group, Happy Siesta Auxiliary, all of Remsen.

Survivors include her husband Melvin J. “Jim” Klein; two sons: Michael and his wife, Linda, and James and his wife, Susan, all of Remsen; three daughters: Mary Wurth, and her husband Wayne of Yankton, S.D., Barbara O’Rourke and her husband, Kevin of Cedar Falls, and Ann Konz and her husband, James of Overland Park, Kan.; 11 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one brother, Vernon Ricke and his wife, Leona of Sheldon; one sister, Clarice Schmidt and her husband Cyril of Remsen; five sisters-in-law: Jeanette Ricke of Remsen, Elnora Kelsey of Storm Lake, Kathleen Hansen of Waterloo, Jill Klein of Lincoln, Calif., and Marcella Weber and her husband, Ed of North Hills, Calif.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Helen Plathe and her husband Ferd; three brothers, Robert Ricke and his wife Kathleen, Omar Ricke and his wife Leola, and Clarence Ricke, as well as brothers and sisters­in- law: Sylvia Roder and her husband Al, Dr. William Kelsey, Ambrose Hansen, Elmer Klein and his wife, Melinda; Martin Klein and his wife Clara; Ray Klein and his wife Carman, Irvin Klein, Joe Klein and his wife, Jean; and one granddaughter-in­law, Gretchen Wurth.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Remsen with the Rev. William McCarthy officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery in Remsen. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. Thursday. There will be a parish rosary at 3 p.m., and a vigil prayer service at 7 p.m., all at Fisch Funeral Home and Monument in Remsen.

Casketbearers will be Jennifer, Jesse, Jacob and Justin Wurth, Matthew and Anna Klein, Amy Pick, Jonathan and Emily Klein, Amanda and Megan Konz.