Constance Marie Klein

Constance Marie (Borger) Klein was born on December 1, 1927 in Fresno, California and passed away on June 17, 2015. She attended Edison High School and graduated from Roosevelt High School, where she was a candidate for Valedictorian. To her chagrin, she was not allowed to serve as Valedictorian as she had not attended Roosevelt High all four years. After graduation, Connie was employed by Crocket Brothers, the downtown Dodge dealer.

Connie met the love of her life, Henry Klein, as she and her best friend, Verna were walking with ice cream they had just bought at Rudy’s. Henry and his friend, Don Lung spotted the two young women and pulled up to make their acquaintance. Verna and Don also became a couple and married, and the four were lifelong friends.

Connie and Henry married on October 24, 1948 and together established their farm in Biola in 1950. They were blessed with three sons, and as their family grew, so did Connie’s responsibilities with the farm. She utilized her bookkeeping skills managing internal operations for Klein’s Biola Ranches. She worked diligently for as long as it took to ensure that all of the workers and all of the bills were paid. In addition, Connie worked intermittently, making beerocks and sandwiches, at her parents’ rural grocery, Borger’s Market, which was located at the corner of McKinley and Dickenson, across from Central High School.

Besides her partnership with Henry, Connie also had her own business in the 1980’s. The Ball O’ Yarn, located at 6025 N Palm, was the realization of a dream, as she loved all varieties needlecraft and once even crafted an entire Barbie wardrobe for a school fundraiser. She was an avid reader and a supporter of the Central schools where her sons attended, serving as Community Club President for a time at Houghton-Kearney. She was also the first President of Raisin Wives of California, which provided scholarships for viticulture students at Fresno State.

After their boys were grown, Connie and Henry made many friends in their travels to Germany, Switzerland, Canada and England.

Connie is preceded in death by Henry, her husband of 66 years; parents, Gus and Marie Borger; brother, John Borger; and sister, Corinne White. She is survived by her three sons and their wives, Clifford and Jessie, Jeffrey and Sheli, Robert and Laura; nine grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; 4 sisters-in-law and 1 brother-in-law; many nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends who will miss her dearly.

Remembrances can be made to the Redeemer Lutheran Church – 1084 W Bullard Ave., Fresno, CA 93711

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.