Eileen B. Klein

Eileen B. Klein, age 95, of Parkers Prairie died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at St. William’s Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 10, 2022, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie with Rev. Kirk Lee and Rev. Mark Schwartz officiating. Music is provided by organist, Marcus Lueders, and vocalist, Rodd Bauck, accompanied by Karen. Interment will be at Parkers Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Parkers Prairie.

Eileen Bertha Block was born on May 20, 1926, to Emil and Bertha (Ost) Block at Mercy Hospital in Alexandria. She was their only child and was baptized on June 20, 1926, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Parkers Prairie by Rev. H.J. Elling. Eileen was confirmed in the Lutheran faith by Rev. August Sieving on June 9, 1940. She completed the first eight years of her education at District #11, in rural Otter Tail County. Eileen graduated from Parkers Prairie High School in 1944. Following her high school education, she attended Macalester College, St. Paul, and then Interstate Business College in Fargo, North Dakota. Eileen’s first employment was at Mutual Life of New York in Fargo. Upon returning to Parkers Prairie, she worked at First National Bank. Years later, she was Immanuel Lutheran Church’s first office secretary.

Eileen met Arland Klein in 1949, at a basketball game in Parkers Prairie – a meeting arranged by his cousin, Erma Klein. She and Arland were married on September 4, 1949, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Two children, Karen and Norman were born to this union. Eileen lived her faith, and for most of her life was actively involved at Immanuel Lutheran Church, a place very near and dear to her heart. She was a member of the LWML, taught Wednesday release-time classes, helped with music, and served as church historian. Eileen also transcribed Sunday School lessons into Braille for 25 years and earned Library of Congress Certification. She assisted with the Red Cross Bloodmobile for 25 years and enjoyed gardening and scrapbooking.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Bertha; and son-in-law, Dr. Buron Lindbloom.

Eileen is survived by her husband of 72 years, Arland; two children, Karen of Pierre, South Dakota and Norman (Kristie) of Hugo, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Christopher (Robin) Bauck of St. Cloud, Rodd (Megan) Bauck of Pierre, South Dakota, Eric (Lauren) Klein of Grand Island, Nebraska, and Kendra Knappenberger of White Bear Lake; great-grandchildren, Ian and Ava Bauck, Noah, Alexa and Keely Klein, and Andrew “AJ” and Tyler Knappenberger; step great-grandchild, Brayden Kelash; along with the congregation of her beloved Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Pallbearers are Rick Gappa, Rodd Bauck, Christopher Bauck, Eric Klein, Dennis Meissner, and Glenn Meissner.

Memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church.