10/13/2020 11:26:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial for Mary E. Kellner Oct. 15 at St. Bernard's
The Mass of Christian Burial for Mary E. Kellner, 88, of Stewartville, will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Stewartville with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating. Burial will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Stewartville.
Mrs. Kellner died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020 of natural causes after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester, where she had been a resident since 2015.
Mary Evelyn Klein was born on Oct. 27, 1931 in Watkins to Nicholas and Mary (Hilbert) Klein. She grew up on the family farm in rural Livermore, Iowa, attended Livermore High School, graduating in 1949.
Mary was married on Aug. 8, 1950 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livermore to Lawrence E. Kellner. Following their marriage the couple farmed in West Bend, Iowa before moving in May of 1952 to their farm in Rock Dell Township, Olmsted County, where they raised their family and farmed for 51 years. Mary was a farm wife and homemaker. After their retirement, the Kellners moved to Stewartville in May of 2003. Mr. Kellner died on April 9, 2006. Mary was a longtime active member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church serving with its CCW, and taught religious education to second-graders for more than 18 years. She was a key leader with the Rock Dell Indians 4-H Club for many years while her children participated. She and Larry were members of the Carousel Squares Dancing Club and she played 500 in a neighborhood ladies group. Mary enjoyed puzzles, knitting, crocheting, playing games, bird watching and growing African violets. She loved time spent with family especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family meant everything to her. She was a wonderful example of faith and love.
Mary is survived by eight daughters, Mary Kaldenberg of rural Rochester, Jean (Steve) Anderson of Waseca, Virginia (Owen) Sass of Stewartville, Nancy (Gary) Schmidt of Rochester, Catherine Steele (David Boyer) of Fox Lake, Illinois, Bonnie (Gary) Rietmann of Rochester, Betty (Fred) Holmberg of Maplewood, and Rose (Kevin) Steinman of Stewartville; three sons, Lawrence (Diane) of Rochester, John (Stephanie) of Stewartville and Joseph of rural Pine Island; 24 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; six sisters, Yvonne Awe of Stanhope, Iowa, Alice Stalzer of Livermore, Iowa, Marlene Albus of Waterloo, Iowa, Jean Nelson and Marilyn Klein both of Humboldt, Iowa, and Leverna (Roy) Sturm of Belmond, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence, her parents, two brothers, Edwin Klein and Allen Klein, and two sons-in-law, Jerry Kaldenberg and Michael Peterson.
A time of visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Stewartville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday morning. Masks and social safe distancing protocols will be in place.
Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Mary are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com
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