Cecilia Klesner

Cecilia Klesner, 88, of Salem, IA passed away Tuesday, October 08, 2013, at Arbor Court. Visitation will be held Friday, October 11, 2013 at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. with the Rosary recited at 7 p.m. that evening. The funeral liturgy will be held Saturday, October 12th at 9 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul with The Reverend Bruce DeRammelaere officiating. Inurnment will immediately follow in St. James Cemetery. A memorial has been established to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Born September 18, 1925 in St. Paul, IA, Cecilia Mary Josephine was the daughter of Edward and Ida (Holtkamp) Kruse. She attended St. James School in St. Paul, IA. At St. James Catholic Church on January 23, 1945, she married Wilfred Joseph Klesner. He preceded her in death on December 22, 2004. For many years Cecilia worked as a farm wife helping with the duties of the farm and raising 12 children. Prior to her marriage, she worked for many families in the St. Paul area as a nanny in helping young mothers with their new babies. A member of St. James Catholic Church, Cecilia was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Altar and Rosary Society and the St. James Quilters. She was also a lifelong member of the Houghton Knights of Columbus. Her favorite hobbies included hand quilting and gardening. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren. Survivors include six daughters, Linda (John) Richard of Oak Grove, MO, Suzie Lund of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Donna (Richard) Wasson of Frankfort, KY, Cindy (Wayne) Johnson of Burlington, IA, Julie Vollmer of Burlington, IA, and Kathy (Charles) Johnson of Salem, IA; three sons, Jim (Diane) Klesner of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Bill (Sandy) Klesner of West Point, IA and Rick (Lisa) Klesner of Salem, IA. She is also survived by many many loving grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren. Preceding Cecilia in death are her parents; her husband, Wilfred; a daughter, Mary Catherine Klesner; two sons, Joseph and Daniel Klesner; a son-in-law, Gary Lund; and a granddaughter, Laura Richard.