Obituary of Gwen Klatt

Gwendolyn Mae Klatt, daughter of Harry R. and Mae E. (Billings) Cooke, was born on January 18, 1932 at the home of her parents at Emmetsburg, IA. She attended grade school at Emmetsburg, and at Sibley, IA, when her parents relocated there, graduating from Sibley High School with the class of 1952. On December 19, 1956, Gwen was united in marriage to John Henry Klatt of Melvin, IA at the Court House in Sioux Falls, SD. Following their marriage, the couple began farming near Melvin where they raised their seven children. In 1994, John and Gwen left the farm, and moved into the town of Melvin, enjoying many happy years living the "town" life. Gwen's health prompted her to become a resident at Prairie View Home in Sanborn, IA in March of 2013. Shortly after Gwen graduated from high school, she took a job as a waitress at Krogman's in Sibley; which was only the beginning of her waitressing career. Over the years, she was employed at the Yo-Go Inn, the OK Cafe and JR's, all located in Melvin. Gwen was a real "people-person", and she knew how to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable, a trait she kept her entire life. Raising a large family meant raising a large garden, and then canning or freezing the produce to feed her growing family...and Gwen thoroughly enjoyed both. If she wasn't weeding vegetables, she was watering her flowers. Not everything to eat could come from the garden, so naturally, Gwen became proficient in the kitchen. Cooking or baking, didn't matter, everyone enjoyed what she made. In later years, her spare time was spent with her nose in a good book. Gwen belonged to the Melvin Legion Auxiliary, as well as the Melvin United Methodist Church, and was a member of UMC Past Presidents. She was always willing to lend a hand and do what she could to help. Gwen passed from this life on July 9, 2015 at the age of 83. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, John, Sr. of Melvin, IA; her children: Rebecca (Kevin) Pedley of Sanford, NC, John (Patricia) Klatt, Jr. of Harris, IA, Joan Klatt of Rochester, MN, Jacqueline (Tim) Garner of Bellevue, WA, and Jeffery (Lisa) Klatt of Terril, IA; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; her sister, Sandi Wohlert of Athens, GA; her brother, Gene (Debbie) Cooke of Mission Hill, SD; sisters-in-law: Betty (Dick) Schmidt of Spencer, IA, Ellen Ackerman of Spencer, IA, and Kathryn Karlsen of Melvin, IA; brothers-in-law: Bill Klatt of Hartley, IA, and Larry (Lois) Klatt of Hartley, IA; many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; children: Robert Klatt, Frederick Klatt in infancy, and Rhonda Lauderbach; brothers: Dale Cooke and Dean Cooke; sisters-in-law: Merna Jacobs and Lola Yock; brothers-in-law: Jim Klatt, Otto "Butch" Klatt, Jr., and Tom Klatt. Celebration of Life Gwendolyn Mae Klatt Born ~ January 18, 1932 Died ~ July 9, 2015 Age ~ 83 years 5 months 21 days Funeral Service Monday, July 13, 2015 ~ 10:30 a.m. United Methodist Church Melvin, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Marvin Lindley Organist ~ Pat Wachtel Congregational Singing Processional ~ "How Great Thou Art" "Be Still My Soul" Recessional ~ "Jesus Loves Me" Pallbearers Melissa Jo Brown Jesse Brustares Jonathan Klatt Timothy Klatt Jeremiah Klatt Nicholas John Klatt Honorary Pallbearers Travis Pedley Kirk Pedley Mark Knapp Anthony Knapp Tyler Garner Aidan Garner Usher Daryle Daggett Interment Baker Township Cemetery Melvin, Iowa