Joann Klein

JOANN (NIELSEN) KRUSE KLEIN was born on July 26, 1936 to H. Christian and Cumal (Kuhlman) Nielsen at the family farm in Fountain Prairie Township in Pipestone County, Minnesota. JoAnn attended high school in Morris, Minnesota, graduating in March, 1954. Following graduation, JoAnn began working at O’Neal’s Bakery in Tyler, Minnesota. On June 4, 1955, JoAnn married Willis Kruse at the Danebod Lutheran Church in Tyler. The couple began farming after their marriage, and continued to farm for 32 years. Willis passed away on November 27, 1987. JoAnn then began to work at the Russell-Tyler-Ruthton elementary school, acting in various positions in the school for 10 years. On February 3, 1999, JoAnn married Dr. Lyle Klein in Honolulu, Hawaii. The couple lived in rural Tyler and enjoyed travelling while they were able. JoAnn died peacefully at her home, while surrounded by her family, on Friday, June 14, 2019 at the age of 82 years, 10 months, and 19 days.

She was an active member of the Danebod English Aid, a member of the American Legion Axillary in Ruthton, a member of the Red Hat Skivers of Tyler, and was a member of the Cross Country Club. When she was able to, JoAnn enjoyed golfing and travelling. JoAnn loved growing flowers and sharing them with others, she especially had a talent with growing geraniums that she was able to keep alive year round. Above all else, JoAnn loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

JoAnn is lovingly remembered by her husband, Lyle “Doc” Klein; her children, Chris (John) Sumerfelt of Taunton, Minnesota, Glenn Kruse of Tyler, and Jody (Dale) Anderson of Elkton, South Dakota; grandchildren, Brenna (Mark Fonteyn) Schuttler, Ryan Kruse, Kayla (Nick) Schultz, Cody (Nikki) Anderson; great-grandchildren, Traeten, Garret, and Maxten; her step-children, Jo Ann (Jim) Peterson and James “Buck” Klein; her nieces and nephews; and many other loving friends and family members. JoAnn was preceded in death by her first husband, Willis; great-granddaughter, Brooklynn; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Virgil (Donna) Nielsen and Curtis (Ruth) Nielsen; and her parents.