Ellen Klose

Ellen Henrietta Frederickson Klose was the youngest of three daughters born to Sever and Dora (Lee) Frederickson. She was born on September 7th, 1915 on the family farm by Lake Hanska in Brown County. She was a lifelong member of Albion Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She completed her first eight grades of schooling in District 26. Her father brought her to St. James each week for school from 9th to 12th grades. She stayed at a home with other farm girls who came to the city to attend High School. On Friday her father would pick her up to come home and help on the family farm. During these four years, she took piano lessons from the nuns at the nunnery. She graduated from St. James High School in 1933. It was there she met her High School sweetheart Luverne Klose. They were married on May 28, 1936 at the parsonage in Springfield. The couple worked side by side on their family farm in West Sveadahl. To this union, one daughter was born. Her name, Kaydra was created by her mother. Ellen and Luverne were married 41 years before a heart attack took his life on December 9, 1977. She continued to live on the family farm where she mowed her own lawn and gardened until she was 88 years old. Ellen's past time pleasures were flowers, reading, crossword puzzles and word searches. Ellen belonged to Ruth Circle, Ladies Aid, serving as president and treasurer. For Stewardship she stitched hundreds of quilts for the annual church bazaar and many missions. She was the first, 3rd grade teacher when Albion started a Sunday School program. She was a lifelong member of the Watonwan County Historical Society. She was a member of the You Go - I Go Extension Club and the Happy Helpers Hospital Auxiliary. She served on the nursing board for many years, when Watonwan County had a public health nurse. Luverne and Ellen enjoyed square dancing for many years in St. James and Darfur. And most recently she enjoyed her Darfur Birthday Club Dinners with her neighborhood friends and the monthly Senior Citizens Potluck at the Darfur Hall. She loved traveling and taking both day and long trips with her many friends. Before his death, Luverne and Ellen visited Norway, which was a very special trip, as she is 100% Norwegian. Ellen was a good cook and baker, and her home was always open to any and all guests, where all were treated to a big lunch before leaving. She was known by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as the "Lefse Lady". From September to December she would awaken at 3:30 in the morning to commence baking many batches of Lefse. She sold more than 200 pounds each "Lefse Season" to her many customers and fans. Her other culinary specialties were her Sour Cream Cookies, Orange Sherbet Jello and Rhubarb Custard Pie. GiGi will be missed by her daughter, Kaydra Ellen and her son-in-law, Claire Berlin of rural Butterfield. Granddaughter Jeni Berlin Minor and her husband James, and their children Madisyn, Jackson and Kaelyn of Kansas City, Missouri, her Grandson, Jeff Berlin and his wife, Kristi and their children Lauren, Logan and Landry of Alborn, Minnesota, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Luverne, her parents, two sisters, Minnie Bernloehr (Johnny), and Doris Larson (Adrian), and many brothers and sisters-in-law. The family wishes to thank Brickstone Manor of Comfrey and St. John Home of Springfield for their love, kindness and wonderful care that she received during her short time with them. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Monday, July 8, 2013 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Second Visitation 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Albion Lutheran Church, St. James Address not given Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 2:00 pm Tuesday, July 9, 2013 Albion Lutheran Church, St. James Address not given Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Albion Lutheran Cemetery-St. James 10454 250th Ave. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081