Jeanette J. Kletschke 1930 - 2009

KLETSCHKE, LARSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 7/21/2020 at 04:29:50

Sioux City Journal
25 February 2009

SIOUX CITY -- Jeanette J. Kletschke, 78, of Sioux City passed away surrounded by her family Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, at a Sioux City hospital following a courageous five-year battle with cancer.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Wesley United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Merrill Muller officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Jeanette was born an identical twin to her sister, Annette, on May 24, 1930, in Paullina, Iowa, the daughter of Ole and Gertrude Larson. She graduated from Paullina High School and went on to get her teaching degree from Morningside College. While at Morningside, she and her twin were named the Toni Twins in a statewide contest judged by Tommy Dorsey. They were featured in Life magazine and were awarded various prizes and scholarships. She modeled for several area businesses in Sioux City. It was at Morningside College that she met her sweetheart and husband of 54 years, Karl Kletschke.

They were married July 30, 1951, in Meriden, Iowa. Karl died May 13, 2006, in Sioux City. Upon graduation, she taught elementary school in Sheldon, Iowa. In 1960, the couple started their own business, Karl's Prep and Harvard Shop. A few years later, they also purchased Mickelson's Men's Clothing Store from Karl's previous employer, naming the business Karlton's. In 1972, they consolidated the two stores into its present location on Fourth Street. After helping to get the business started and well established, she was able to stay at home with their four children.

She enjoyed spending summers at their lake home and winters at their retirement homes in Florida and Arizona. She enjoyed gardening, going for walks, spending time with friends and taking care of her family, her home and her pets.

Her memory will be cherished by her children and their spouses, Kim and Deborah Kletschke of Sioux City, Kal and Kimberly Kletschke of Sioux City, Jane and Tom Hedlund of Hinton, Iowa, and Jean and Dr. Steve Benson of Cherokee, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Brooke and her husband, Nathan Odem, Kasey Kletschke, Korey Kletschke, Kamryn Kletschke, Erin Hedlund, Lauren Hedlund, Brittany Benson and Brock Benson; three sisters, Eleanor Carlson, Alice Ludwig and Arlene De Jong; two sisters-in-law, Elvera and her husband, Don Erdman, and family and Joyce and her husband, Steve Murdock, and family; and her devoted and cherished best friend, Etta Polaykoff.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Karl; her twin sister, Annette Mortensen; a brother, Eldon Larson; and brothers-in-law, Lloyd Carlson, Robert De Jong, Bud Ludwig and Keith Mortensen.

Pallbearers will be Kim Kletschke, Kal Kletschke, Korey Kletschke, Brock Benson, Steve Benson and Tom Hedlund.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to Karlton's Men's Clothing, 515 Fourth Street, Sioux City, IA. 51101. Memorial recipients will be the June E. Nylen Cancer Center and Hospice of Siouxland.

The family would like to extend a special thanks for the prayers and compassionate loving care of Dr. Gerald Hagin and hospice nurse Ruth Norvell and their staff.