Klitgaard, Mary Ellen (1931 – 2009)

KLITGAARD, PETERSEN, JOHNSON, WITTHOFT, SCHWERY, BUCK, POLLERT, GRANN, LARSEN, HOPP, INGWERS

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 8/4/2013 at 21:17:53

Name of deceased: Mary Ellen Klitgaard (nee Petersen)

Aged: 77 yrs, 5 mo, 23 days

Residence: Harlan, IA

Born: Oct. 29, 1931, at family home in Jackson Township, Jacksonville, IA

Died: April 21, 2009, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Funeral services: Saturday, April 25, 2009, First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA; Pastor Gundar Lamberts of the First Baptist Church officiated. Burial at Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA.

Survived by: Husband of 57 years, Richard Klitgaard of Harlan, IA; sons, Steve (spouse, Carolue) Klitgaard of Pocatello, ID, and Dr. Don (spouse, Laurel) Klitgaard of Harlan, IA; daughters, Barb (spouse, Joel) Schwery of Olathe, KS, and Jane (spouse, Larry) Buck of Sidney, IA; sisters, Linda Pollert of Wilmington, NC, Frances Grann of Springfield, MO, Verda (spouse, James) Larsen of Harlan, IA, Carol (spouse, Donald) Hopp of Harlan, IA, Lile (spouse, Richard) Petersen of Harlan, IA, and Norma Ingwers of Denver, CO; brothers, Jim (spouse, Alveta) Petersen of Fort Collins, CO, and Clemen (spouse, Maxine) Petersen of Eaton, CO; 16 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Horace and Rose (nee Johnson) Petersen; sister, Irene Ladd; brothers, Eugene Petersen, Tim Petersen, and Carl Petersen; grandchildren, Heidi and Kaleb Witthoft

Education: Jackson Number One rural school, through Grade 8, where she had special memories of Christmas programs and eighth grade graduation exams; in 1948, Mary was diagnosed with polio and spent several months recovering. She then finished high school and graduated from Harlan (IA) High School, Class of 1950. She was active in high school, participating on the student council and in sporting events, was Homecoming Queen, and on the rolls of the National Honor Society; she also participated in 4-H activities

Marriage: Richard Charles Klitgaard, May 18, 1951, Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, IA

Employment: After graduation, worked as bookkeeper for Farm Service Coop in Harlan, IA; after marriage and raising their children, she then kept the books for the family business, Klitgaard & Petsche Builders and Contractors, from 1960-1993.

Hobbies/Interests: Member, First United Methodist Church, Harlan, IA, having served as a Sunday School teacher, Christian Education director, MYF sponsor, finance committee member, and United Methodist Women member; was a 4-H organizational leader for ten years; volunteered with the Library Board and the Myrtue Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Additionally, she had served as a Cub Scout leader, then became involved in Girl Scouting as a club leader, serving in many leadership positions. Received the highest award given to Girl Scout volunteers. In 1996, was awarded the Citizen of the Year Award by the Harlan Chamber of Commerce. With family, she loved to camp at state parks and to travel; also enjoyed baking, fishing, and playing games.

Source: burmeisterjohannsen.com