Conrad and Maggie...

Conrad Martin Klein Jr. Dies

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Conrad Jr. died on July 3, 1939 in Herrick, South Dakota at the age of 72.

His obituary reads as follows:

“C. M. KLEIN DROPS DEAD IN HERRICK STORE MONDAY

Homesteaded Present Farm Home 2 Miles Northeast Of Here – Well Known

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C. M. Klein, well-known farmer living 2 miles northeast of Burke, dropped dead Monday in Zorba’s store at Herrick.  Mr. Klein had been in failing health for several months and spent part of last summer in the hospital receiving treatment.

Mr. Klein came to Gregory County in 1904 and drew a homestead where he hade his home for the past thirty-five years.  He has long been a familiar person in Burke and has made many friends and acquaintances during his regular visits to town each week.

Needless to say Mr. Klein’s death came as a great shock to friends and relatives, bringing many expressions of sympathy to the bereaved family.  He was the kind of man who forced a living from the soil even in difficult times and was never given to depend on anyone else for his livelihood.  He was a highly respected husband and father in his family and proved himself a successful man in his occupation.

Conrad Martin Klein was born in Illinois on December 7, 1866 and passed away at Herrick, S. D. on July 3, 1939 at the age of 72 years, 6 months, and 25 days.  He spent the early part of his life in his home state later moving to Iowa and to Chicago.  On February 14, 1900 he was united in marriage with Margaret Roller and to this union were born nine, children, the four oldest preceeding him in death.  In 1904 he homesteaded a farm 2 miles northeast of Burke where he has lived ever since.

He is survived by his wife, four sons and one daughter, Raymond of Burke, Mrs. Herman Raschke of Colome, Ambrose of Colome, Victor and Conrad of Burke, and four grandchildren, Margaret, James and Robert Klein and Vernon Raschke all of Colome.  Other relatives surviving him include three sisters, Mrs. Susan Walgenbach of Hosper, Iowa, Mrs. Katherine Heightsmen of Illinois and Mrs. Martha Buddy of Chicago, Ill.

Funeral services were held this (Thursday) morning at 10 o’clock from Sacred Heart Church with Rev. W. J. Connaughton in chage.  Burial was made in the Catholic cemetery south of Burke.”

Zorba's 1st Elevator
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Downtown Herrick South Dakota
Date Unknown

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Margaret "Maggie" Ann (Roller) Klein dies.

Margaret (Maggie) Klein died on March 14, 1947 at the age of 68.

Her obituary reads as follows:

“Mrs. Maggie Klein Laid To Rest

Passed Away Last Friday At Gregory Hospital – Came To Homestead North Of Burke in 1904

Requiem High Mass was celebrated at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, March 19^th, from the Sacred Heart Church in Burke for Mrs. Maggie Klein, pioneer mother of Gregory Count, who passed away at the Mother of Grace Hospital in Gregory March 14^th.  Rev. Father W. J. Connaughton officiated at the service and internment was made in the Catholic cemetery near Burke beside the grave of her beloved husband.

Choir members consisted of Mrs. Frank Schmitz, Mrs. Delbert Drey and Victor Klas.  Pallbearers were E. M. McMullen, Jess Hall, Joe Cerny Sr., Joe Kirsch, Frank Schmitz and Ed Pete.

Margaret Roller Klein was born at Belgium, Wisconsin in 1878 and passed away after several months of failing health at the age of 68 years, 7 months and 24 days.  She spent her early life in Wisconsin later living in Chicago, Ill. And on February 14, 1900 she was united in marriage to Conrad Martin Klein and to this union nine children were born, the four eldest preceeding her in death.  In the year of 1904, the family came to Gregory County settling on a homestead 2 miles northeast of Burke which has be her home since that time.  Mr. Klein passed away July 3^rd, 1939 but his wife continued to maintain the home there with her sons, Raymond and Conrad, and the latter’s family.

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Mrs. Klein was a devoted wife and mother and the place left vacant in her passing will be deeply and sincerely mourned by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by four sons, Raymond, Victor and Conrad, all of Burke, and Ambrose of Gregory, and one daughter, Mrs. Herman (Rose) Raschke, of Winner, besides nine grandchildren.  Two brothers and two sisters living in Wisconsin also are left to mourn her departure.  All of the children were present at the funeral services.”

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Maggie's passing was also posted in the Sheboygan Press (Sheboygan, Wisconsin) on March 19, 1947.  The article got some of the facts wrongs, but reads:

“Former Belgium Resident Dies

   Port Washington - Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret C. Klein, 68, a former resident of Belgium, were held this morning at Burke, S.D. with burial there.
   Mrs. Klein, nee Roller, was born in Belgium in July, 1878, and lived in that community until her marriage to Martin C. Klein at Chicago.  The couple moved to South Dakota where she died last Friday.
   Survivors include four sons, one daughter and the following brothers and sisters:  Mrs. William Thome and Mrs. Mike Burton of Port Washington, John Roller of Milwaukee and Nic. Roller of Port Washington."







Below is a Roller family photo I found on ancestry.com.

Front, L to R: Susan, Peter, John, and Rosa
Middle, L to R: Jacob, Catherine
Back, L to R: Margaret Ann (Maggie), Angeline, Nicholas, Anna, and Elizabeth
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My Great-Grandmother is furthest left in the back row.

Conrad, Maggie, Raymond, and Victor are all buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery just south of Burke, South Dakota.

Together Conrad and Maggie had nine children.  The first four died before settling in South Dakota.  Raymond Francis, Rosie, Ambrose Fred (my Grandfather), Victor Martin, and Conrad Dominic.

Seated L to R: Conrad M, Conrad D., Maggie.
Standing L to R: Victor, Ambrose, Raymond, Rosie
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The Klein Children

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Raymond Francis Klein

Raymond was born in 1906 and never married.  Raymond lived in Burke (near the homestead).  Raymond Francis died September 6, 1966.

Rosie Klein

Rosie was born September 1, 1908 went on to marry Herman Raschke and had two sons Donald and Vernon.  Rosie died June 15, 1966 in Winner South Dakota.

Ambrose Fred Klein – My Grandfather

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Ambrose was born June 20, 1911 and married Gladys Eva Bowers Aught 18, 1934.  

Gladys was born February 23, 1913.  They had six children:  Margaret Rose (Kapp) Klein, James Conrad, Robert Ambrose Robert, Leroy Francis (my Father), Alvin Joseph, and Kathleen M (Strum) Klein.  

Gladys died in March of 1978 and Ambrose died February 24, 1997.  They are both buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Story County, Iowa.

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My Grandfather was also a musician.  I remember vividly him playing the accordion and harmonica all the time when were kids.  From what I understand, he could skillfully play just about any musical instrument he touched with no formal musical instruction.  Pictured are his accordions that my dad has.

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"Ambrose Fred Klein
June 20, 1911-Feb. 24, 1997

Ambrose Fred Klein, 85, of Nevada died Monday of heart failure at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.  Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Nevada, with Rev. John Herzog officiating.  Burial will be in the St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Ambrose Fred Klein was born in Burke, S.D., the son of Conrad M. and Margaret (Roller) Klein.  Mr. Klein was a graduate of the Springfield South Dakota College.  On Aug 21, 1934, he married Gladys Bower in Burke.  Mr. Klein was a school teacher and farmer while living in South Dakota.  He was employed in the order and shipping department of the Nevada Poultry Company for 35 years.  He retired in 1977.  Mr. Klein was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  He enjoyed playing the accordion at the Rolling Green Village and Story County Long Term Care.

Mr. Klein is survived by four sons, James C. Klein and Alvin J. Klein, both of Nevada, Robert A. Klein of Roland and Leroy F. Klein of Des Moines; two daughters, Margaret R. Kapp of Sterling, Ill. and Kathleen M. Strum of Nevada; 25 grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, one sister, and seven brothers.

Visitation is Wednesday with the family present from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada.

A memorial fund has been established."

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Victor Martin Klein

Victor Martin was born April 12, 1913 and went on to marry Blanche (Henrecy) Dawson.  Together they had three children: Sandra Klein, Albert Dawson, and Darus Dawson.  Victor died October 17, 1984.

Victor went on to serve in WWII.  His obituary reads as follows:

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“Victor M Klein

Funeral sevices for Victor M Klein, 71, were held on Monday, Oct. 22, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Winner, with Rev. Joseph Zeller officiating.

Burial was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burke, with the Burke American Legion performing full military rites.

Pallbearers were Harold Sell, Joe Engelmeyer, Everett Hageman, John brinkman, Earl Bordeaux, Sr. and Frank Soles.

Klein was born on April 12, 1913, to Martin and Margaret Klein at Gregory and died Oct. 17 at the VA Hospital at Hot Springs.

On April 1, 1942, he entered the United State Army serving 19 months in England and France during World War II.  While in the service he earned the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, Bronze Arrow Head Medal, American Theatre Service Ribbon, European, African, Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and the Bronze Star.  He was discharged from active duty Dec. 1, 1945.

After the war, Klein worked in the Gregory, Mellette, and Tripp County areas.

On Dec. 26, 1946, he married Blanche (Henrecy) Dawson of Gregory.  To this union on son, Virgil, who died at infancy and one daughter, Mrs. Martin (Sandra) Varilek of Winner, were born.

Klein was active in the American Legion, VFW and a member of the Catholic Church.

Survivors include his daughter; stepson, Darus Dawson of Colome and Albert Dawson of Freeport Texas; one granddaughter; one step-grandson; two brothers, Ambrose, Nevada, Iowa and Conrad, Winner; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, infant son, one step-grandson, one sister, and five brothers.”

Victor’s wife and son are also both buried at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Burke South Dakota.

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Conrad Dominic Klein

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Maxine with grandchildren

Conrad was born June 3, 1917 and married Maxine Mann on December 6, 1944.  Maxine was born April 5, 1921.  Together, they had six children: Dale, David, Debbie, Janice, Joan and Susan.  Conrad died in May of 1985 in Winner, Tripp County, South Dakota.

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Conrad's obituary reads as follows:


  “Funeral services for Conrad Dominic Klein, 67, were held Monday, June 3, at Mason’s Funeral Home in Winner with Rev. Joseph Zeller officiating.  Burial was in the Winner Cemetery.

   Pallbearers were John Brinkman, Frank Soles, Bud Dewing, Bud Mann, Herman Raschke and Wilbur Newland.

   Klein was born on June 3, 1917, in a sodhouse to Maggie and Martin Klein at Burke and died May 30 at the Gregory Community Hospital.

   He grew up on his parents homestead and attended school in a one room country school house.  He helped his parents on the farm.

   In 1944 he married Maxine Mann and the couple had six children.

   He worked as a farm worker for several years and in 1964 he moved his family to Winner.  While living in Winner he worked as a veterinary helper for two years, as a janitor at Central School for seven years and a custodian for the city of Winner at the Municipal building.  While working for the city he suffered a massive stroke which left him paralyzed.

   The remainder of his life was spent in hospitals and nursing homes.

   Survivors include his wife, two sons, Dave of Pierre and Dale of Casa Grande, Ariz., four daughters, Joan, Debby and Susie, all of Winner and Jan of St. Paul, Minn., 13 grandchildren; one brother, Ambrose of Nevada, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Rose, two brothers, Raymond and Victor and four brothers who died in infancy.”

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Main Klein Headstone
Sacred Heart Cemetery
Burke, South Dakota