Olivia Klimek

Olivia Marie (Suchy) Klimek was born on Palm Sunday, March 28, 1915 in Urbank, Minnesota, the first of seven children to Joseph and Anna (Kraemer) Suchy. She attended Sacred Heart Parochial School in Urbank and graduated from Parkers Prairie High School at the age of 15. Olivia married Wilbert Klimek on September 26, 1939 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank. They farmed over 41 years on south Lake Jessie in Alexandria Township and retired to a home near Lake Geneva. They were married 56 years until he passed away in 1995. They had one daughter, Judith. Olivia spent her years after high school working at Kraemer?s Store in Urbank and for a short time in St. Paul. On the farm she helped with the farm work, raised vegetables and flowers in her large gardens. She enjoyed canning and cooking, sewing and quilt making. She was faithful volunteer at The Church of St. Mary in Alexandria and was a member of Daughters of Isabella and Christian Mothers. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren and visiting and card playing with the neighbors; also traveling to visit her brother and sisters in various parts of the country. On Friday, March 6, 2009 Olivia passed away at Knute Nelson in Alexandria, Minnesota where she had been a resident for four months. She is survived by her daughter and husband Judith Ann and Orris Schjei of Alexandria; grandchildren, Anne (Danny) Edenloff, Steven Schjei, Peggy (Bill) Blenkush, and Tim (Barb) Schjei; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren; and two step great-great-grandchildren; sister, Mildred Benzinger of Alexandria; sisters-in-law, Adelaide Klimek and Rita Wille both of Alexandria; and brother and sister-in-law, Jerome and Delleen Klimek of Garfield and many nieces and nephews. Olivia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, grandson, Daniel Schjei; brother, Ralph Suchy; and sisters and husbands, Mary and Jim Kelly, Dolores and George Dahmen, Helen and Gordon White, and Jeanne Wallender. Also preceding her were Herb Benzinger, Donald and Dorothy Koep, Gebhard Klimek, Dick Wille and Sister Lois Klimek OSB and several nieces and nephews. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, March 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM at The Church of St Mary in Alexandria with Reverend Steve Binsfeld officiating. Music was provided by Laurie Youngers and Tom Mulder. Entombment at St. Mary?s Mausoleum with Anne Edenloff, Steven Schjei, Peggy Blenkush, Tim Schjei, Nick Bullick and Joe Blenkush as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers were all of Oliva?s great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.