Frances "Fran" Leone Klink

July 3, 1924 ~ December 6, 2011

Fran was born July 3rd, 1924 in Wishek, North Dakota to Phillip and Anna Koch – immigrants from Landestreu, Austria. Early in her life the family moved to Napoleon, North Dakota. Fran was the 12th of 14 children. Her family survived the depression by Phillip taking odd jobs as a carpenter and living off the land of their small farm. After Anna suffered a stroke when Fran was in her early teenage years, she became one of her main caretakers. Fran enjoyed playing basketball at Napoleon High School where she graduated in 1942.

Shortly after graduation, Fran moved to Portland, Oregon to live with her sister Rose and brother-in-law Art Brown who resided in the St Johns area. Fran became one of the storied “Rosie the Riveters” during World War II, welding on Liberty ships at the Kaiser shipyards to help the allied forces in their pursuit of victory.

After a long day at work, Fran and a good friend decided to take in a movie. As they walked around a corner near the theatre, they literally bumped into Jim Klink and his shipmate, who were in Portland for a short stay as his ship was repaired from battle damage. Knowing Jim’s personality, we are pretty sure this collision may have been intentional on his part. This chance meeting blossomed into a near fifty year marriage that began on November 22, 1945.

They celebrated the birth of their first child, Jim on October 25th, 1947 while residing in Gresham, Oregon. Son Steve was born on December 8, 1952. Two years later, the family moved to a house on NE 151st Ave in Portland, which was the family home for 54 years. Twins Tammy and Tim were born on March 22, 1958. In 1965, Fran returned to work at Tektronix were she was a cable inspector for 21 years.

She was ecstatic to become a first time Grandmother in 1969 with the birth of Mattson, son of Jim and his wife Nancy. Just 17 months later, she enjoyed the experience again with Jim and Nancy’s second son, Joe.

Together with friends Harmon and Betty-Mae Janway, Jim and Fran purchased 10 acres in Vernonia, Oregon in 1971. Nestled on the Nehalem River, this property would become the family’s own personal campground for many generations of family to enjoy. Fran loved to play card games all day (where she always somehow “found” a way to win) and celebrated many birthdays at the property.

Fran was privileged to have four more grandchildren: Andy (1975), Josh (1980), Melanie (1982) and Jessy (1986) – and five great grandchildren: Tyler (1994), Madison (2004), Isabella (2006), Kinzley (2007) and Emerson (2008).

In 1995, after 50 years of marriage, Fran lost the love of her life, Jim, to cancer. She continued to live in the home where they raised their family until 2008. Earlier in the 2000s, Fran met Jim McKeig, who became her best friend and companion until his unfortunate passing in 2007. Jim helped her become a huge Portland Trail Blazer fan.

Fran’s hobbies included her love of dance, music, card games, cooking and had some amazing recipes she loved to share. Fran loved to host family get-togethers - from Halloween to Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and more where many a rug was cut in the patio.

She had many long term friends in her life, including Marilyn Zimmerman, Betty Lou Janway, Thelma Ogden, Verna Mettler and Ruthie Rasmussen to name just a few.

Fran spent the last three years of her life at Parkrose Chateau, where she cultivated a special friendship with her card-playing buddy Bernice. After a series of health issues, Fran lost her life due to complications from pneumonia. She passed very peacefully with her family at her side. We will always hold her dearly to our hearts and cherish the memories she gave us.

Fran is survived by three siblings: sister Caroline of Colorado Springs CO, sister Roxie of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and brother Cal of Beaverton, OR.

Sis, Mom, Auntie, Grandma, Grandma Great - You will never be forgotten!

Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes has the honor of directing arrangements for the Klink Family.