Leona Klein

Leona Klein of Webster, passed away, with her loving family at her side, Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Village of Harmony Hill in Watertown.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster. Inurnment will be at St. Otto's Catholic Cemetery near Webster. 

Memorial visitation will be 5-7 pm Monday, November 11, 2024 at the funeral home. The Nursing Honor Guard will hold a ceremony honoring Leona's years of dedicated nursing service at 6:15 pm, all former nursing colleagues are welcome to be present.  A scriptural wake service and rosary will follow at 6:30 pm.

Leona Lea Koenig was born on May 23, 1933, to William and Laura (Becht) Koenig. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Otto’s Catholic Church in Webster. Leona attended parochial school for eight years and graduated from Webster High School in 1951. After high school, she enrolled at Presentation School of Nursing in Aberdeen and obtained her degree in 1954, with credentials in registered nursing. She worked at St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen for one year until she took employment at Peabody Hospital in Webster until it closed, and she transferred to Day County Hospital, which was later renamed Lake Area Hospital and then Sanford Hospital, Webster. 

In June of 1956, she married Leo Klein at St. Otto’s Catholic Church in Webster. To this union five children were born. The family made their home on the Klein family farm near Webster. From 1979 to 1996, Leona taught the Medical Careers and special needs classes at the Mult-District Vocational School in Webster and held the position as the state program president for one term. During this time, she continued to work part time at Lake Area Hospital (Sanford Hospital), until retiring in 2006, after holding an active nursing license for 51 ½ years.

Leona was an active member of Christ The King Catholic Church and held office in the Catholic Women’s Society. She was also past president of the Webster Golf Club and enjoyed many card clubs. Her passion was her family. She enjoyed the nature of the outdoors and God’s gift of the many flowers in her garden.

Those remaining to cherish “Tots” memory are her children, Gregory (Virginia) Klein, Janet (Dan) Goldsmith, Mark (Carlene) Klein, Jay Klein, foster daughter Julie Erickson Thelin, 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way, as well as 3 foster grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leo, sister June Koenig Herring, and daughter Marcella “Sally” Klein.