A lifetime Marshall County resident, Mary Marie Klein, 87, passed away of natural causes at 2:55 a.m., Friday morning, March 9, 2012, in Pilgrim Manor.
Mary was born in Tyner, January 23, 1925, and raised as the daughter of Fay E. and Rebecca V. (Trump) Ward. She attended Tyner grade school and graduated from Plymouth’s Lincoln High School in 1942.
On July 12, 1942, in the First United Church of Christ, Mary M. Jarrell became the bride of Richard Hal “Dick” Klein. They most recently made their home at Pretty Lake and after 66 wonderful years together, Dick preceded her in death on August 30, 2008.
One of Mary’s first jobs was working at the G&G grocery store in downtown Plymouth.
With an entrepreneurial spirit, Mary embarked on a 35 year career as the owner and operator of the popular Eastside Nursery School located in her home on East Garro Street in Plymouth. She will be remembered lovingly by hundreds of her students for her leadership and teaching skills. She retired in 2000, and spoke often of how much she missed the children. As helpmate and partner, Mary supported her husband with the Hippity Hop Restaurant and Sunrise Coffee Shop.
As a devoted Christian, Mary was a longtime member of the First United Church of Christ: she had served on many committees and initiated the popular Annual Spring Cookie Walk fundraiser for the church. Along with being a choir member she was the Sunday school department head for a period of 25 years.
Her community and social organizations included being a member of the Delta Theta Tau philanthropic sorority, the Pretty Lake Red Hat Steppers, a Bridge and Gin Rummy Club member for over 35 years.
She enjoyed the game of golf and loved watching the many activities of her grandchildren.
She was affectionately known as Dodie to her family. Survivors include her two daughters and their families. Daughter Susan and husband Tom Brinton of St. Augustine, FL., and their children: Jessica Susan Klein Brinton who is with The Center for Global Development in Nairobi, Kenya, and Amanda Dianne Klein Brinton with the Peace Corps in Ecuador. Daughter Sarah Lynn and husband Dan Flynn with their children also survive. They are: upon graduation, Second Lieutenant Sean Patrick Klein Flynn, United States Army, to be posted at Ft. Carson, CO, Connor Richard Klein Flynn, Matthew Thomas Klein Flynn and Mary Catherine Klein Flynn, all of Plymouth.
Also surviving are: two sisters; Nina Phillips of Hilton Head, SC and Verda Bussanmas of Bremen, along with two dear sisters-in-law; Helen (Mrs. Charles) Glaub and Betty (Mrs. Louis) Wenino, both of Pretty Lake and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters; Kay Bergman and Donna Kubley and two brothers; Walter and Michael Jarrell.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, March 18, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First United Church of Christ, 321 N. Center St, Plymouth. Funeral services for Mary will begin at 4 p.m. with Pastor AnnMarie Kneebone officiating. A funeral dinner will immediately follow in the church fellowship hall.
Burial will be in Oakhill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Church of Christ, 321 N. Center, Plymouth, IN. 46563.
Shirley A. Gidley says
What a lovely lady. We had so much fun. She touched so many lives in different ways. She loved her children and the grandchildren and spoke of them so much and their accomplishments.
We never can make this transition easily and you will always miss her an wish so many times that she was there to talk with and share your lives.
God bless and my sympathy goes with you.
Susie Reinholt says
Both of my girls went to Eastside Nursery School back in the early 70\’s. Mrs. Klein was the absolute best! She has had such a positive and lifelong impact on 100\’s of children.
Please know that your family is in my heart and prayers. Mrs. Klein – A Life Well-Lived.
Janis Bottorff says
Mary will definitely be missed by the community. Our daughter now 37 attended her nursery school. Very sweet lady.
I also worked for Dick at Friendly Foster/Belgium Waffle. Prayers go out the to family for your loss.
Stoney & Amanda Ferlmann says
Dear Sarah, Dan & family,
We were sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful mother and grandmother.
Thinking of you,
Stoney & Amanda
Rosie Regedanz says
Please accept my condolences and prayers at this time of your loss. Mary was a very sweet and loving person and I know she will be missed.
sunday peregrine says
As a graduate in the early to mid 70\’s of Eastside nursery school not a time goes by i dont look at the building where the school took place and not think of her love and smile.She loved each of us kids and now in my mid 40\’s i remember her well. May God bless her family at this difficult time.
Sunday(Rhoads)Peregrine
Plymouth,IN
Julie McLiver says
Our family send our condolences to you. All four of our children went to Eastside Nursery School. Mrs. Klein gave them an excellent start in learning and they always enjoyed attending. Our prayers are with you.
Richard and Marsha Warren Botset says
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family. My parents, Bill and Janiece Warren and Dick and Mary were very good friends for many, many years. They went to school together and we spent time during my growing up years together. I always thought so much of them. Again, I am so sorry for your lose.
Kim Morrison says
I was very fortunate to have attended Eastside Nursery School back in 1975-76. Through the years, I always had memories of Mrs. Klein and the school when I drove by her beautiful house. Then after college, I took on the job of choir director at First United Church of Christ, and there was my PRESCHOOL teacher sitting in the front row at our first choir practice! Boy, did I get to know a totally different Mrs. Klein 🙂 ! She was also the BOSS of the Cookie Walk at church and you didn\’t dare let Mary catch you moving slowly or you were in trouble! It was so great to get to know Mary and her family. She was always very supportive of my singing, too. I am so glad that Mary\’s family was able to have such a wonderful lady with them for so many years! She will be missed.
Linda L Sweany says
Both of my children attended preschool at Mary\’s, and loved it very much. I have know Mary all my life, and she was my Sunday School teacher. One of my favorite books is \”All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten\”….it speaks of how there in the sand I learned…..it always makes me think of Mary and Sunday School. We had a sandbox full of white sand, and she taught me how to share, love, hold hands, and have cookies and milk. As an adult I helped with the Sunday school classes always striving to be like my mentor, and helped with the cookie walk for years, doing the jobs Mary assigned. The past several years, Mary and her \”Flynn Family\” would sit behind my Mom, Nellie VanGilder, and John and I and family in Church…….I always had to give her a hug and kiss, and she would tell me \”that is the first hug and kiss I have had today\” and smile at me. She always made me feel special, and I have missed her presence on Sunday\’s. Now I will have another angel watching over me, I love you Mary Klein my forever Sunday School teacher. Linda & John Sweany
Dina Heishman says
Sorry to hear of your loss Susie. My sympathy to you and your family.
Jennifer Johnson says
I loved Mrs. Klein\’s pre-school; the pseudo see-saw on the play ground, playing mailman and duck-duck-goose. I learned manners at Mrs. Klein\’s (to this day I still push my chair in). Plus, she had the best butter cookies and red drink. Thanks for the right start. R.I.P, Mrs. Klein. Years in attendance 1973-75
Kathy Smith says
Dear Sarah and family,
Recently heard of the passing of your dear mom. I have happy memories spending time at a few
of your birthday slumber parties \”so many years ago\”, and always admired your mother\’s \”take
charge\”, fun-loving personality. Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Kathy Hunt-Smith and family
Gloria Thomas Buzzard says
So very sorry for your family\’s loss. Mary has left wonderful memories for so many people. And how her life has impacted a good portion of our children. I hope in time that you will be able to temper your grief with those memories.
Shirley A. Gidley says
What a lovely lady. We had so much fun. She touched so many lives in different ways. She loved her children and the grandchildren and spoke of them so much and their accomplishments.
We never can make this transition easily and you will always miss her an wish so many times that she was there to talk with and share your lives.
God bless and my sympathy goes with you.
Susie Reinholt says
Both of my girls went to Eastside Nursery School back in the early 70\’s. Mrs. Klein was the absolute best! She has had such a positive and lifelong impact on 100\’s of children.
Please know that your family is in my heart and prayers. Mrs. Klein – A Life Well-Lived.
Janis Bottorff says
Mary will definitely be missed by the community. Our daughter now 37 attended her nursery school. Very sweet lady.
I also worked for Dick at Friendly Foster/Belgium Waffle. Prayers go out the to family for your loss.
Stoney & Amanda Ferlmann says
Dear Sarah, Dan & family,
We were sorry to hear of the loss of your wonderful mother and grandmother.
Thinking of you,
Stoney & Amanda
Rosie Regedanz says
Please accept my condolences and prayers at this time of your loss. Mary was a very sweet and loving person and I know she will be missed.
sunday peregrine says
As a graduate in the early to mid 70\’s of Eastside nursery school not a time goes by i dont look at the building where the school took place and not think of her love and smile.She loved each of us kids and now in my mid 40\’s i remember her well. May God bless her family at this difficult time.
Sunday(Rhoads)Peregrine
Plymouth,IN
Julie McLiver says
Our family send our condolences to you. All four of our children went to Eastside Nursery School. Mrs. Klein gave them an excellent start in learning and they always enjoyed attending. Our prayers are with you.
Richard and Marsha Warren Botset says
I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family. My parents, Bill and Janiece Warren and Dick and Mary were very good friends for many, many years. They went to school together and we spent time during my growing up years together. I always thought so much of them. Again, I am so sorry for your lose.
Kim Morrison says
I was very fortunate to have attended Eastside Nursery School back in 1975-76. Through the years, I always had memories of Mrs. Klein and the school when I drove by her beautiful house. Then after college, I took on the job of choir director at First United Church of Christ, and there was my PRESCHOOL teacher sitting in the front row at our first choir practice! Boy, did I get to know a totally different Mrs. Klein 🙂 ! She was also the BOSS of the Cookie Walk at church and you didn\’t dare let Mary catch you moving slowly or you were in trouble! It was so great to get to know Mary and her family. She was always very supportive of my singing, too. I am so glad that Mary\’s family was able to have such a wonderful lady with them for so many years! She will be missed.
Linda L Sweany says
Both of my children attended preschool at Mary\’s, and loved it very much. I have know Mary all my life, and she was my Sunday School teacher. One of my favorite books is \”All I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten\”….it speaks of how there in the sand I learned…..it always makes me think of Mary and Sunday School. We had a sandbox full of white sand, and she taught me how to share, love, hold hands, and have cookies and milk. As an adult I helped with the Sunday school classes always striving to be like my mentor, and helped with the cookie walk for years, doing the jobs Mary assigned. The past several years, Mary and her \”Flynn Family\” would sit behind my Mom, Nellie VanGilder, and John and I and family in Church…….I always had to give her a hug and kiss, and she would tell me \”that is the first hug and kiss I have had today\” and smile at me. She always made me feel special, and I have missed her presence on Sunday\’s. Now I will have another angel watching over me, I love you Mary Klein my forever Sunday School teacher. Linda & John Sweany
Dina Heishman says
Sorry to hear of your loss Susie. My sympathy to you and your family.
Jennifer Johnson says
I loved Mrs. Klein\’s pre-school; the pseudo see-saw on the play ground, playing mailman and duck-duck-goose. I learned manners at Mrs. Klein\’s (to this day I still push my chair in). Plus, she had the best butter cookies and red drink. Thanks for the right start. R.I.P, Mrs. Klein. Years in attendance 1973-75
Kathy Smith says
Dear Sarah and family,
Recently heard of the passing of your dear mom. I have happy memories spending time at a few
of your birthday slumber parties \”so many years ago\”, and always admired your mother\’s \”take
charge\”, fun-loving personality. Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Kathy Hunt-Smith and family
Gloria Thomas Buzzard says
So very sorry for your family\’s loss. Mary has left wonderful memories for so many people. And how her life has impacted a good portion of our children. I hope in time that you will be able to temper your grief with those memories.