Edith Klemm

Edith Redetzki Klemm was born in the German province of East Prussia. Upon completing school she studied bookkeeping, which she loved. She loved her job and her life in the city. There were train trips to go shopping for the latest fashions, attend the theater, and lots of good times with friends. It was during the World War II she met and married her husband Fritz, a German soldier. Her strength and determination took her through the difficult war years and turmoil and challenges with the war’s aftermath.

After several years in East Germany they made the hard decision to leave home again and immigrate to America with their two young daughters. Starting from nothing, they achieved their dreams and loved the life they made for themselves. Edith became a first rate seamstress sewing all the clothes for herself and her daughters. They worked hard to build their own house in Detroit. Gardening was a love with lots of flowers and not a weed anywhere. She also did the bookkeeping for Fritz’s carpentry business. They so enjoyed dancing at parties and the German Club.

With retirement they moved to SugarSprings near Gladwin, Michigan into another house Fritz built. They were active in their community playing cards, socializing, taking trips with friends, and holidays with family. Edith always cooked and baked all the dishes herself at her parties. It was a busy life. Edith rode a horse for the first time. They truly enjoyed the visits from the grandchildren when they went fishing, swimming and walking, lots of walking. For many years both Fritz and Edith looked forward to helping make the annual church Sauerkraut Supper a great success.

After Fritz died in 1986 Edith became even more active. Once she learned to drive, she helped found the Gladwin Hospice group and was one of the ladies who cooked at the Lutheran Church events, including the Sauerkraut Supper every November. The garden was her pride and joy and she loved getting compliments. She stayed very busy and very active. There were speaking engagements where she talked of her life and journey from East Prussia to Gladwin.

Then came the time for her to slow down a bit and she moved to Redford’s Presbyterian Village to be closer to family. There she found a great new circle of friends and activities.

Beloved wife of the late Fritz. Loving mother of Sabine (Dennis) O’Leary and Ilona Klemm. Cherished grandmother of Megan (Jonathan), Rebecca (Ricardo) and Gillian (Michael). Great grandmother of Griffin, Grace, Michael, Brady, Brielle, Declan, Lexi and Tyler.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to:

Gladwin Hospice

P.O. Box, 477

Gladwin, MI 48624

Or

Grace Lutheran Church

25630 Grand River Ave

Redford Twp, MI 48240

A church service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 25630 Grand River Ave, Redford

Visitation at the church from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.