Jane A. (Luedtke) Klein, 79, of Lomira, and for the past six years, a resident of LaCrosse, passed on to eternal life, on June 23, 2019, at Hillview Health Care Center in LaCrosse.
She was born Jane Alice Luedtke, on October 31, 1939, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, to Fred and Elda (McChain) Luedtke.
Jane graduated from Lomira High School in 1957.
On October 10, 1959, Jane married Gordon Klein, also of Lomira, at Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church in Lomira.
Jane’s life was guided by her faith in the Lord. She was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira. Jane served her church as financial secretary, communion steward, youth group leader, custodian, and on a mission trip to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky.
In her pre-teen and teen years, Jane was proud to be a grease monkey, alongside her “Pa,” at Luedtke’s Service Station in Lomira.
Following high school graduation, and prior to having children, she worked as a keypunch operator at A. C. Nielsen in Fond du Lac.
In their early years of marriage, Jane devoted herself to raising their three children. After the children were grown, Jane and Gordon owned and operated Klein Hardware. Jane did book work and made salads at McDonald’s in Lomira. She also worked in electrical and hardware customer service at Menards in Fond du Lac, retiring in 2011.
Jane’s involvement in community organizations included Lomira TOPS Club, serving in various offices including President; Lomira Centennial Planning Committee; and Lomira Chamber of Commerce historian.
Jane’s interests were varied: historical events; current events; collecting antique items from past businesses in Lomira/surrounding area and later donating her collection to the Lomira Historical Society; pleasure reading; music, particularly polka and classic country; being entertained by natures’ critters at outside feeders; watching sports, including but not limited to, WIAA state high school basketball tournaments, Brewers baseball, and Packers football.
Many have benefited from Jane’s passions for crocheting and knitting. In addition to the joy of creating items, she enjoyed gifting crocheted baby afghans, teaching others the art of crocheting, and tackling patterns with new challenges. She was especially proud of teaching her grandchildren how to crochet, especially her left-handed granddaughter.
Jane most enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends, especially their grandchildren. Jane enjoyed attending as many of her grandchildren’s activities: sporting, music and others as she was able to. She enjoyed cooking and baking, having accumulated an impressive collection of cookbooks. Jane was proud to share her cooking and baking interests with her children and grandchildren - sharing favorite recipes and techniques in cooking and baking alongside them and preparing big family meals.
Memories of Jane live on in son, Bill (Tammy) Klein; granddaughter Kylie Klein; and grandson, Keith Klein; daughter, Betsy Klein; and daughter, Peggy Klein.
We are proud of the courage Mom displayed throughout her/our struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease, an incredibly exhausting and frustrating disease.
Jane is further survived by sister, Judy (Larry) Schraufnagel; sister, Jean (Karl) Krueger; brother-in-law, Gerald (Shirley) Klein; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Wes) Falk; special friend, Kathy Gindt; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Jane was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, in March 2018; parents, Fred and Elda Luedtke; brother, Jim (Geni) Luedtke; brother-in-law, Lyle Schwartz; parents-in-law, Alfred (Hilda Stuck) Klein; sister-in-law, Genevieve (Ed) Huck; brother-in-law, Reverend James Klein; nephew, Kevin Klein; and special friend, Rodney Gindt.
Jane’s family will greet guests on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., and will enjoy visiting again at the church, following the burial in Salem Cemetery in Lomira.
A Celebration of Jane’s Life will take place at Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira, on Saturday, Aug. 3, at noon, with Pastors Rom Pegram and Wesley Falk officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jane’s name will be appreciated to Trinity United Methodist Church in Lomira; Alzheimer’s Association for research at www.alz.org or Alzheimer’s Association, Memorial Donations, P.O. Box 96011, Washington D.C. 20090; The Lomira Historical Society; or charity of donor’s choice.
The family thanks all staff at Hillview Health Care Center in LaCrosse, for the compassionate care they provided to Jane during the past 2-1/2 years.
The family also thanks Mayo Clinic Health System-Hospice for their compassionate and loving care, for Jane and the family, in the walk through the final days of Jane’s earthly life.
The family also thanks Pastor Banze Kyabuntu, of Stoddard United Methodist Church, and Pastor Harald Bringsjord, of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in LaCrosse, for their comforting presence and messages, to read scripture and pray with Jane and family, during the final days of Jane’s life, and following Jane’s last breath, as well as always being a special presence of God’s love.
The Myrhum Patten Miller & Kietzer Funeral Homes have been entrusted with Jane’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com
