Joan Klein

Joan Klein, 94, passed away on July 14, 2018 at the Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, IA. A visitation for Joan will be held on Tuesday, July 17, from 5-7PM at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center with a rosary service being held at 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, July 18, at 10:30 AM at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in rural Reinbeck with Father David Kucera officiating. Visitation will resume from the evening prior at 9:30 AM at the church. Interment will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center.  Memorials may be directed to the family to be donated to local animal shelters. Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home is caring for Joan and her family.

Joan Klein was born on March 15, 1924 in Eldora, IA, to her parents Harry and Berniece (Haney) Pagel. Joan attended school in Eldora graduating with the class of 1941. Joan was united in marriage on April 13, 1944 to George H Klein at Sacred Heart Church in Grundy Center. She worked as an aide in hospitals including Cherokee, Elkader, and finally settled in Grundy Center. Joan enjoyed many hobbies and was an avid golfer and baker. She also quilted and knitted, quilting for the Seeds of Hope and Operation Threshold. Joan knitted baby hats for Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo and Blank Memorial Hospital in Des Moines for many years. She enjoyed volunteering at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital in Grundy Center for many years. Joan enjoyed spending time with family and friends most, especially her grandchildren. Joan was a member of St. Monicas, the Grundy Center Legion Auxiliary, and the Womens Club of St. Gabriel Catholic Church.

Joan is survived by her loving daughters and honorary son: Sharon (Richard) Klein-Wilson of Des Moines, Donna (Dan) Smith of Marion, Judy (Russell) Kershaw of Grundy Center and Harvin Rust of Grundy Center; grandchildren Lisa (Pete) Gordon, Candie (Adam) Witte, Susan (Chris) Hawks, and Sarah Wilson; great grandchildren Molly, William, and Ian Hawks, Rachel and Max Gordon; brother Jim (Rita) Pagel of Eldora. Joan is preceded in death by her parents and husband George.