Della J. Kleman, nee Krause, age 86, of West Bend entered into eternal life on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center in the town of West Bend.
She was born on March 11, 1925 in Jackson to the late Benjamin and Freida (nee Heidtke) Krause. Della was baptized, confirmed, and married at David's Star Ev. Lutheran Church in Kirchayn. She graduated from Cedarburg High School in the Class of 1943. On May 19, 1945, she was united in marriage to Raymond Kleman.
Together Della and Raymond spent many years farming in the town of Trenton. They eventually retired from farming and enjoyed 23 years as caretakers for a property in the town of Saukville. In 2000, they moved to Cedar Ridge where they were able to enjoy their hobbies and make many new friends.
Della was a longtime Ladies Guild member who devoted a lot of her time and talents at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church on Pleasant Valley Rd. She was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed caring for her children and grandchildren. Della also enjoyed gardening, needle work, putting puzzles together, cooking, baking, and canning.
She is survived by her husband, Raymond of West Bend; four children, Kathy (David) Lochen, of West Bend, Judy (Darwin) Kison of Cedarburg, Cherie (Chris) Larsen of Hayward, and Edwin (Connie) Kleman of West Bend; nine grandchildren, Jeff and Tim Lochen, Brenda (Jeff) Halverson, Colleen (Todd) Oestreich, Ryan (Carlene) Kison, Margo (Chris) Anderson, Peter Larsen, Stephanie (Josh) Roth, and Chris (Marnie) Kleman; and 8 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sister, Louise (Art) Ciriacks of West Bend; her brother, Robert Krause of Milwaukee; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Della was preceded in death by her parents; her step-mother, Lilly Krause; her great-grandson, Ethan Roth; her sister, Lucille (Carl) Butzke; and sisters-in-law, Esther (Reinhard) Beimborn, Mabel (Herbert) Strege, and Evelyn (Elmer) Gauger.
Funeral services in remembrance of Della will be held on Saturday, September 24th at 11:00 am at Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church, 1268 Pleasant Valley Road, West Bend. Burial will follow in Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend, on Friday, September 23rd from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm and again on Saturday at the church from 10:00 am until the time of service.
Memorials to Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church Expansion Fund are greatly appreciated.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to their friends at Cedar Ridge for all of their love and support; and to the staff at Cedar Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center and Cedar Community Hospice for their compassion and care, it is greatly appreciated.