Klein, Theodore 1853-1932 & Elizabeth Simon Family

KLEIN, SIMON, MUELLER, MULLER, MELCHER

Posted By: Wilma J. VandeBerg -volunteer (email)
Date: 2/12/2026 at 15:55:48

Klein, Theodore 1853-1932 and Elizabeth Simon Family

This biography of the Theodore and Elizabeth Klein family was taken from a family story in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church book of Granville Iowa page 128. This narrative was further researched and composed by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society.

The full narrative including additions to the church book story were made from various sources including records from the web site www.iagenweb.org/sioux; family reports and vitals collected from ancestry.com records and ancestry’s public member trees, Find A Grave index, internet searches and various local archives.

Disclaimer: Names, dates and places may vary from one source to another, but have been stated in this biography as presented in the source. Family data taken from ancestry.com public member trees is subject to the submitter of data to ancestry.com and was not fully verified by this submitter. Information was cross checked from other sources when possible.

THEODORE KLEIN, Sr family story from the St. Joseph’s church book page 128.

Theodore Klein, Sr. was born September 26, 1853 at Niederfeulen, Grand Dutschee, Luxemburg. He came to the United States in 1871 locating first in Chicago and California and came to Sioux County in 1877.
Elizabeth Simon was born December 8, 1860 at Schonholzhausen, Westphalen, Germany. She came to the United States in 1880 coming directly to Sioux County. Theodore and Elizabeth were married January 16, 1883 in the Prairie Church southeast of Alton.
They were the parents of fifteen children. Six of the children died in infancy. Of the nine children pictured here (below) , two are still living. Celia is 82 yrs old and resides in her home in Adrian, Minnesota. Ted is 89 years old and resides in the nursing home in Orange City, Iowa.
Theodore Klein, Sr. passed away December 14, 1932. Elizabeth Klein passed away December 2, 1928.
(end of family story from the St. Joseph’s church book)

FAMILY RESEARCH Notes: Find a Grave
Theodore Klein was born 26 Sep 1853 Neiderfeulen, Canton de Diekirch, Luxembourg died 14 Dec 1932 Granville, East Orange, Sioux County IA buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Alton, IA. His parents were Michel Klein born 2 Feb 1812 Feulen, Diekirch, Luxembourg died abt 1853 Niederfeulen, Diekirch, Luxembourg and Maria Mueller/Muller/Miller born 27 Oct 1820 Niederfeulen, Diekirch, Luxembourg died 2 Apr 1895 Granville IA.

Elizabeth Simon was born 9 Dec 1860 / 8 Sep 1860 Schonholthausen, Olpe, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany died 2 Dec 1928 Granville, Sioux, Iowa. Her parents were Franz Simon born 10 Sep 1817 Schonholthausen, Westfalen, Germany died 25 Jul 1889 Chicago IL and Maria Catherine Melcher born 29 Sep 1818 Schonhothausen, Germany died abt 1883 Chicago IL Elizabeth’s marriage record 16 Jan 1883 gives parents names as Ironey? Simon and Catherina Melcher.

CHILDREN: Found on Find A Grave, ancestry.com sites, local obits.

1. Mary Klein born 18 Feb 1884 died 14 Oct 1947 buried St. Joseph’s Granville IA. She married John Ney 1878-1969. their children were Peter J. Ney 1905-1934, Dorothy Emma Ney Graff 1909-2002, Lawrence Frank Ney 1910-2008, Marie Catherine Ney Meinen 1914-2011, Joseph Frederick Ney 1916-2007, Elizabeth M. Ney 1917-1918, Rosella Cecelia Ney Koob 1920-2016, John Theodore Ney 1923-2020 and Robert L. Ney 1924-1924. See Mary’s obituary under Ney, Mary (Mrs. John) on this web page.

2. Frank Klein born 2 May 1886 Granville IA, died 17 Oct 1961 Adrian, Nobles County MN. He married Elizabeth Kellen, 1889-1979. Their children Theodore Klein 1911-1968, Alvina E. Klein Heitkamp 1913-1965, Sr. Verona Klein 1915-2001, Emily M. Klein 1917-1918, Fr. Francis William Klein 1920-2006, Frances Elizabeth Klein Wieneke 1922-2007, Wilfred P. Klein 1925-1991, Mildred Mary Klein Slater 1929-1996, Betty A. Klein Wolf 1932-1934. Per Find A Grave.

3. Edward Klein born 25 Dec 1887 Alton, Sioux, Iowa died 2 Dec 1889 at 1 yr Granville IA

4. Anton J. Klein born 12 Aug 1889 Granville IA died 13 Apr 1969 Sheldon, IA. He married Mary M. Steichen 1894-1980 married 1912. Children Anna Marie Klein Budden 1914-2007, Agnes Elizabeth Klein Vonderharr 1915-2015, Gerald William Klein 1917-2008, Esther Bertha Klein Ahlers 1921-1989 and Marian M. Klein 1922-1941. Per Find a Grave.

5. Emma Mary Klein born 15 Sep 1890 Sioux County IA, died 9 Apr 1968 Wilkin county, MN buried Mantador, Richland Co. ND. She married Albert Ferdinand Mauch 1881-1944. Their children Ale Theodore Mauch 1911-1978, Ida Elizabeth Mauch Jaeger 1913-2002, Norbert Frances Mauch 1917-1969, Bernice Mary Mauch Korinek 1919-1995, Evelyn Ann Mauch Haberman 1921-2006. Per Find a Grave.

6. Frederick Klein born 23 Mar 1892 Granville IA died 26 Jun 1970 died 26 Jun 1970 Adrian, MN . His wife was Laura J. Suedbeck 1895-1979. Children Raphael Theodroe Klein 1915-2012, Elsie Rity Klein 1917-1986, Edward Francis Klein 1919 2001, Anna Klein 1920-2002, Richard Herman Klein 1923-2009, may be two children more listed at private. Per ancesty.com family trees.

7. Rosalin Klein born 10 May 1893 and died 20 Nov 1893 buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA Per Find A Grave & Ancestry.com births.

8. Albert Klein born 1894 Granville IA and died 1895 buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA Per Find A Grave & Ancetry.com.

9. William Klein born 1896 died 1977 buried St. Adrain Cemetery Nobles County MN. No spouse or children listed. Per Find a Grave

10. Theodore Klein born 14 Apr 1897 Granville IA died 26 Feb 1989 Granville IA buried St. Joseph’s cemetery. He married Frances Kokenge 1901-1996. Their children Marcel H. Klein 1923-2008, Verna Mae Klein Bunkers, 1924-2015, Lois Edna Klein Wiltgen 1927-2019, Merlyn Anthony Klein 1911, 2015, Clarice Mary Klein Roder 1934-2020 and Thomas F. Klein 1936-1966. Per Find a Grave.

11. George Klein born 12 Dec 1899 Granville IA and died abt 20 Dec 1899 buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA. See his obituary on this web page. Search Simon mother’s surname.

12. Elizabeth Klein born 1901 Granville IA and died 1901 buried St. Joseph’s cemetery Granville IA Per Find A Grave

13. Bertha Klein born 4 Jun 1902 died 24 Apr 1968 buried St. Adrian Cemetery Adrian MN No spouse or children listed. No spouse or children listed. Per Find A Grave

14. Cecelia Mary Klein born 30 Nov 1904 Granville, IA died 13 Mar 1999 buried St. Adrian Cemetery Adrian MN Per Find A Grave.

15. Infant Klein born and died unknown. Possibly named Theodore born abt 1885, listed on grave stone with other childen who died in infancy.

OBITUARY of Theodore Klein 1853-1932

Source: Alton Democrat (12-23-1932) Born: September 7, 1853 Died: December 14, 1932
Theodore Klein, Sr. passed away at his home here Wednesday evening December 14 at 9:45 o’clock. Mr. Klein was born September 7, 1853, at Niederfeulen, Grand Duschee, Luxemburg and at the time of his death was 79 years, 3 months and 6 days of age. Death was caused by infirmities of old age.
Deceased came to the United States in 1871 and first located in Chicago, Illinois. In the fall of 1896(1869?) he went to California and came to Sioux County in 1877. On January 16, 1883, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Simon of Chicago, the ceremony taking place in the Prairie Church south of Alton. Mrs. Klein preceded her husband in death on December 2, 1928. In the fall of 1919 they retired from the farm and moved to Granville.
He leaves to mourn his loss, nine children: Mrs. John Ney of Granville; Frank and Fred of Adrian, Minnesota; Anton of Alton; Mrs. Albert Mauch of Mooreton, North Dakota; William and Theodore, Jr. of Granville; Bertha and Celia at home; and one brother, Jake of Alton.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning, December 17 at 9 o’clock. Reverend John A. Gerlemann was assisted in the services by Reverend Laurence N. Klein of Leeds and Reverend LIig. The body was laid to rest in the St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers were his five sons and one grandson, Albert Mauch.

OBITUARY of Elizabeth Mrs. Theodore Klein 1860-1928
Source: Alton Democrat (12-14-1928) Born: December 8, 1860 Died: December 2, 1928
Funeral services for Mrs. Theodore Klein, Sr. who died December 2nd at her home in Granville after a short illness, were held Wednesday morning at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Granville and interment was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
Elizabeth Simon was born December 8th, 1860, at Schonbotzhausen, Westphalen, Germany. She came to the United States in the year 1880 and three years later was married to Theodore Klein, the ceremony taking place in the Prairie Church south of the town of Alton, on January 10th, 1883.
Fifteen children were born to the union, although nine are living. Six children, Theodore, Eddie, Rose, Albert, George and Elizabeth died in infancy. The surviving children are Mrs. John Ney of Granville, Frank Klein, Adrian, Minnesota; Anton Klein, Alton; Mrs. Albert Mauch, Mooregon, North Dakota; Fred Klein, Adrian, Minnesota; William and Theodore, Granville; Bertha and Celia at home. The husband and children have the heartfelt sympathy of a host of friends in the passing of this fine Christian woman.
Reverend Gerlemann was assisted in the service by Reverends R. Klein, E.C. Meyers, R. Oken. The five sons and son-in-law, Albert Mauch were pallbearers.
Among those here from a distance for the funeral were Mrs. Harry Kelly, Chicago; Mrs. Theodore Bullermann, John, Don, Nick and Joseph Klien, all of Adrian, Minnesota; Mr. and Mrs. Will Einck and daughter of Wilmont, Minnesota; Alton relatives present were the Jake Klein family and Nick Hansen and from Hospers, John and Anna Penning.

Note: If anyone has an interesting early story of this family please contact our page coordinator.

This picture of Theodore Klein family is from the St. Joseph’s church book page 128.

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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