Klingensmith, Elma A. 1912 - 2006

KLINGENSMITH, NAFE, BAKER

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/21/2011 at 19:07:23

WASHTA, IOWA: ELMA A. KLINGENSMITH, 93, of Washta died Saturday, September 16, 2006, at the Kingsley Nursing & Rehab Center in Kingsley, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at the Meadow Star United Methodist Church, rural Washta, Iowa, with Rev. Bill Cotten officiating. Burial will be at Grand Meadow Cemetery, rural Washta, Iowa. Visitation will begin after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, with the family present 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Rohde ~ Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley, Iowa.

Elma was born November 20, 1912 in Grand Meadow Township, rural Washta, Iowa, the daughter of Harvey and Alice (Baker) Nafe. She grew up in the Grand Meadow area graduating from Grand Meadow Township area graduating from Grand Meadow High School in 1930. She married Rex Lyle Klingensmith November 5, 1933 in Moville, Iowa. They lived and farmed their entire life in the Grand Meadow Township. She was a true farmer’s wife who loved her family dearly.

She was a member of the Meadow Star United Methodist Church where taught Sunday School for many years, was a choir member, church pianist, Youth Fellowship Leader, church historian and a member of the UMW. Elma was also a very devoted patriot of her country. She was one of the original charter members of the Grand Meadow heritage Center and was very active in starting the G. M. Museum as well as being the museum’s historian. Her creative talents included her four family Genealogy books, the slide presentations of our Family History, the history of the state of Iowa, the Barn Story and a Memory Book was given to family members in 1969. Elma’s hands were always busy with handy work including many, many beautiful handmade quilts that will indeed be keepsakes for her family. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and embroidering. She was very fond of nature, gardens, flowers and trees. A quote from her memory book says, “I can see beauty all about me and thank my Maker for placing me in His wonderful world!”

Survivors include one son, Larry Klingensmith and his wife Penny of Washta, Iowa, three daughters, Twila Klaschen of Washta, Iowa, Gail Jean Chinn and her husband Roger of Grassy Butte, North Dakota and Betty Elser of Fresno, California, twelve grandchildren, Pam Mohning (Les), Lon Klaschen (Marsha), Robbin Scida (Dave) , Rhonda Thomason (Bobby), Ryan Elser (Gina), Tron Klingensmith (Shell), Ty Flewelling (Sveta), Terry Klingensmith (Carey), Tami Chrisman (Roy), Brad Chinn (Jodi) , 24 great grandchildren, 8 great – great grandchildren, six step – great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and one cousin, Rena Drefke.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Rex who passed away July 31, 1987, her sister and brother-in-law, Iva and Ralph Allen, two brothers, Floyd and Carl Nafe, a sister-in-law, Lela Nafe, and two sons-n-law, Ray Elser and Keith Klaschen.

Mauer Johnson Earnest Funeral Home
Le Mars, Iowa