She was a generous hostess.  She prepared for and hosted many gatherings for family, friends, and the friends of her kids.  Everyone was always welcome, and had plenty to eat and drink at her house, which was almost always spotless.  She said that she learned to care for others from her parents, when they would welcome people into their home, especially if they were in need.  As long as I have known her, she has cared for others.  Her way of living, beyond herself and being kind, thoughtful, and generous to others is a magnificent legacy that she leaves behind.  During the last couple weeks of her life, from time to time she would say, “I just want to be a better person.”  When I told that to Jackie, Jackie’s response was, “Sure Maureen.  Let me count the ways…  Um…I’m not coming up with anything.”
Mom was not only: kind, loving, caring, generous, thoughtful, and giving.  She was incredibly strong.  I can’t imagine what it took for her to start a whole new life on her own once her husband passed away when she was 88 years old.  I never heard her complain once.  She would say how much she missed “daddy” and how she wanted to join him but the Lord didn’t want her yet.  Well, the Lord finally came around.  We all did our best to help and comfort and care for mom afterwards.  We could never fill that whole that was left.  Yet she managed, through her incredible strength. 
Last but by no means least was her incredible faith.  The source of her strength, peace, and love.  Always present and never lacking.
Now, after just a little more than three years, she is united with her husband, who has waited patiently for her to join him.  We know they were both ready for the great reunion.  A celebration was prepared.  There is singing, and dancing, and food, and - balloons!

Sometime after our mother moved down to Tennessee, Cynthia and I were sharing with our Mom an appreciation for all that she had been able to accomplish over the years.  Shuttling kids to sports, doctors’ visits, scouts, and other endless activities.  All the cooking, shopping, family gatherings, vacations, birthday and Christmas celebrations.  The list of what she did for the family goes on and on.  We expressed that we especially appreciated how she was able to do all of that with four young, noisy, kids in the house for so many years.  Mom replied that she did not know how she did it.  I reminded her that back in those days she used to smoke, drink, and swear.  It was a phase.  
Back in the days of raising a family, she served us wholeheartedly.  She gave us her all, night and day, tirelessly.  Once we were all out the house for good, we got to see another side of our mom.  She still had so much to give to others so she found different places to serve.   It is hard to think of a time when her focus was on herself.  She would not hesitate to help someone she felt that needed help.  She gave her time and treasures to worthy organizations.  She would talk to someone who might be sitting alone.  If you mentioned that you liked something that she owned, she would offer it to you.
She was a can-do person.  I can think of only three things she could not do.  She could not enjoy the view of the Grand Canyon.  Our family remembers our cross-country trip which included a stop to see the Grand Canyon.  Mom made her way from the car to an observation point, took a quick look, said, “that’s nice” and hurried back to the car.  She did not like heights.  She could not be an assembly line supervisor.  She gave it a try and quickly learned it was not for her.  Finally, she could not keep her husband’s brain healthy.  She kept his body healthy and strong for many years, but couldn’t keep his mind from slipping away.  Everything else, she handled.  Everything.

I would like to offer a few loving remembrances of:
Mom, Ma, Mama, Grandma, Maureen, Mo, Aunty Mo, Mrs. Kluge, Mrs. K., and Mrs. Coupon.
How does anyone summarize a life time of, love, service, and dedication in just a few words.  It can’t be done.  We can all hold tightly to our wonderful memories and continually celebrate that she was such an important part of our lives.
I will start though, by sharing what Cynthia said after our father passed away.  She pictured our Dad getting in line at the Pearly Gates.  Saint Peter spots our Dad way at the back, waves to get his attention, and says, “Come on through Bill.  You don’t have to wait.”
I picture our Mom’s arrival in heaven with God our Father waiting for her with open arms.  Trumpets are announcing her arrival with a fanfare.  Angels are singing. God hugs her and says, “Well done good and faithful servant.”
I think it was mom who figured out how to pay for all those wonderful family vacations we took.  Dad probably picked the destinations but mom had the hard part.  She made sure we had a swimming pool in the backyard during the summer.  A couple winters she made sure the back yard was flooded so we could ice skate.  We always skates, bicycles, batons, baseball gloves, what-have-ya.
We shared important parts of history with mom.  It was mom that got us out of bed to see the Beatles the first time they were on the Ed Sullivan Show.  It was mom that made sure we were all gathered around the TV when Neal Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon.  It was with mom that I watched the funeral procession of John F. Kennedy before I understood what assassination was.
She had artistic talents that we did not get to see much of.  One Christmas, I got an oil paint set as a gift.  Our mom asked if she could make a painting.  It was a painting of a cottage in the woods and it was quite good.  She could restore furniture by painting it or distressing it.  She sang at a fund-raising event at St. Zachary’s.  She could sew and

Such a wonderful lady.
She always very kind and friendly every time I met her.
She was also very frank, she was one who was not afraid to give her honest opinion.
And she gifted me several hand-made cymbal cases…still in use some 50 years later!!!!
She will be missed, rest in peace, Mrs. Kluge

Auntie Moe - throughout your life you were always so wonderful to all of us! We have priceless memories of you, Uncle Bill, all of our family gatherings, holidays, birthdays and just because get togethers. Thank you for this very special gift and thank you for always being so positive and teaching us even as adults, better ways. You are already missed but will forever live on in our hearts. We love you!

OBITUARY

Maureen Anne Kluge

September 13, 1934 – May 18, 2026

Oehler Funeral Home

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