Lori Essman Klein

LORI JEAN KLEIN was born on September 9, 1957 to Melvin and Doris (Hegstad) Essman in Luverne, Minnesota. She was raised on the family home place just north of Kanaranzi, Minnesota and attended school in both Magnolia and Luverne, Minnesota, graduating from Luverne High School with the Class of ’75. She then attended Pipestone Vocational and Technical School in Pipestone, Minnesota for one year before moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Lori accepted a secretary position at Dakota Welding, which later became A-OX Welding Supply, that she held for more than twenty-five years. She later worked as a convenient store clerk for various businesses including Sunshine Gas, HyVee Gas and Get-n-Go. On June 25, 2016 Lori was united in marriage to Terry Klein in Sioux Falls. On Wednesday, September 14, Lori experienced a heart attack and was brought to the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, where on Thursday, September 15, 2016 she passed away with family by her side at the age of 59 years and six days.

Lori received her baptism at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She enjoyed bowling and vegetable and flower gardening, especially roses. Lori always was the person capturing photos at family events and was an overachiever at gift-giving. She was also a very good storyteller. Lori will be remembered for being such a caring person to others.

Lori is survived by her husband, Terry Klein of Sioux Falls; four children, Jessica Klein of Sioux Falls, Matthew (Amanda) Klein of Baltic, South Dakota, Brian Klein of Brooking, South Dakota, and Debra (Mike) Staples of Bloomfield, Nebraska; mother, Doris Essman of Luverne; two siblings, David (Claudia) Essman of Madison Lake, Minnesota, and Deanna (Robert) Wieme of Sioux Falls; dear friend, Mary McNamara of Sioux Falls; her dog, Casey; and other family and many friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Essman; nephew, Steven Essman; and grandparents, William (Effie) Essman and Ole (Leila) Hegstad.