Emma R. Klein

Emma R. Klein, 102 of Greeley, died in her home December 15, 2018, surrounded by her family. Born December 1, 1916, in the farmhouse in Holly, Colorado, to Jacob and Anna Marie (Sauer, Schreiber) Rohrig. Both of her parents were Germans from Russian immigrants. She was the 17th of 20 children in a blended family.

Emma spent the first 11 years in Holly both on the farm and later in town. Her father was a carpenter, locksmith and owner of a bar. Just before her 12th birthday in 1927, the family moved to Greeley to be closer to other family and attend a German Church, St. Paul’s Congregational. Emma was confirmed in 1930 – a 78 year member. Church was very important to Emma and her family for her entire life.

In Greeley, they lived in several houses some of which her father built. She could still remember the addresses of each of those houses. All of the kids helped the family by working in the fields, butchering turkeys at the icehouse, or helping their father with construction.

She attended College High School graduating in 1934. She then went to work with 2 of her sisters, at Woolworths, working 6/8 hour days a week for $10 per week.

She met Ivan Klein at church and they were married in her parent’s house on June 16, 1940. They were married 64 years until his death in 2005. Ivan owned the Oliver dealership in Greeley. Expecting to be drafted he sold the business. They moved to Portland, Oregon for a short time while he worked in the shipyards welding. When his mother became ill, they returned to Kersey where Emma cared for Ivan’s family for 2 years.

Son Richard was born in 1945 and daughter Barb was born in 1950. Emma became a farmer’s wife living one mile west of Kersey. She helped in the milk barn morning and evening for 25 years. She drove a truck during harvest as well as having Sunday dinner ready, which always included a fresh pie for dinner after church. All the while keeping a spotless house for her family. After the family sold their dairy cows she went to work at Platte Valley High School kitchen with her best friend Leona Steinmetz. After retirement, they lived a few years in Kersey then moved into their Greeley home.

Emma was known for her excellent cooking skills, specializing in desserts and fancy jello salads. All the food was made from scratch. Famous for her cream pies, her famous butterscotch pie was always a hit. Her “from scratch” German Chocolate cake won a Champion at the county fair several years.

She belonged to her local home extension club, and the Ladies Aid group at church. She enjoyed the Lawrence Welk show on Saturday nights. Emma and Ivan were founders and leaders of the Kersey Busy Beavers 4-H Club for 12 years.

Family remembers her as a loving, generous and caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. She loved her family unconditionally. The youngest ones would bring the biggest smile to her face. There was always something to eat and drink; a lap to sit on and a hug filled with love for each of them.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ivan, 19 siblings and 1 granddaughter.

She is survived by her Son Richard (Sonja), Daughter Barb (Jim) Welch, Grandchildren James (Sharon) Welch, Heather (James) Henry, Jeremy (Arline) Welch, Jeff ( Lindsey) Klein, Glenn Klein; Great grandchildren Amanda (Kyle) Frances, Abigail (Mana) Kaia, Austin Miller, Halie Miller, Tyler Henry, Ethan Welch, Sawyer Klein, Ryder Klein, with one more due in May; and Great-Great Grandchildren Bear Francis, Elle Kaia, Kalai Kaia, Emma Kaia.

The family expresses a special thank you to Pastor Ken Fulton, First Light Home Care, Pathways Hospice, Sarah Julian, Kim Andersen and Special caregiver Karen Litfin.

A visitation will be held from 4-7:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel. Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, December 20, 2018 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel.

Donations may be made to St Paul’s Congregational Church Building Fund, Pathways Hospice, or First Light Home Care in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, Macy Chapel, 702 13th Street, Greeley, Colorado 80631. Please visit www.allnuttgreeley.com to send condolences to the family.