Irene Klein

Irene Anna (Diedrich) Klein was born on March 19, 1916 in Effington Township, Douglas County, Minnesota to Henry and Elizabeth (Hink) Diedrich. She was baptized and confirmed at South Effington Lutheran Church. Irene attended country school through the sixth grade and helped on the farm and also helped her aunts. Irene was united in marriage to Walter Klein on May 26, 1937 in South Effington. The couple was blessed with 4 daughters, Marlene, Carol, Dorothy, and Maxine. Irene and Walter farmed in the Millerville area for 6 years and moved then moved to Parkers Prairie until 1960. They moved to Alexandria for 5 years and then moved to St. Cloud where Irene worked at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home. Walter died in 1981. Irene moved back to Alexandria in 1992 and lived here for 10 years volunteering at Knute Nelson in the hair salon. She was a member of the Grey Ladies with the American Red Cross. She returned back to St. Cloud into Carefree Living in 2006. Irene enjoyed doing crafts, traveling, gardening, and baking. She made the best peach pies. Most important to Irene was her family. Irene died on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids at the age of 94. She is survived by her daughters, Marlene (Duane) Labs of Quincy, CA, Carol (Harvey) Tewes of Alexandria, Dorothy Meyer of Sartell and Micki (Dick) Lindberg of Minnetonka; 10 grandchildren, Tammy (Matt) Koepnick, Toni (Tim) Kelley, Terri (Richard) West, Brett (Steph) Tewes, Dirk Tewes, Kane (Mary Anderson) Tewes, Stacie (Bob) Flaherty, Jason Meyer, Henry (Andrea) Lindberg, and Margaret (Lee) Christopher; 17 great-grandchildren, Shane and Heather Kelley, Eric West, Gabrielle and Isaac Tewes, Parker Tewes, Alexis and Madison Flaherty, Victoria Lindberg, Evelyn, Louis and Walter Christopher; and step-great-grandchildren, Rex and Clint Koepnick, JD and Daniel Oberg, and Morgan Zubke. Irene is preceded in death by husband, Walter; parents, Henry and Elizabeth; brothers, Henry and Victor Diedrich; and sister, Dora Bremmer. A funeral service was held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Zion Lutheran Church with Reverend Terry Finnern officiating. Music was provided by organist, Mertice Brueske and soloist, Dan Olson. Interment was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Sauk Rapids, MN officiated by Pastor Kristen Anderson. Casket bearers were Irene?s grandchildren and honorary casket bearers were Irene?s great-grandchildren. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.