Frances Klein

Frances Sophie Margaret "Tootie", daughter of Frank and Minnie (Hansen) Berst, was born December 11, 1921 on a farm near Cushing, Nebraska. Tootie attended country school near her home and graduated from Cushing High School with the Class of 1939. She helped her dad on the farm until her marriage the next year on December 11, 1940 to Clarence Klein at St. Paul, Nebraska. They made their home on a farm near Cushing and were the parents of two children. Eighteen years later in 1958 they moved to Elk Horn, Iowa where Clarence had a job at the church. Tootie worked at Salem Lutheran Homes from 1959 to 1967. She was a member of Salem Lutheran Church and served as secretary there until her retirement. She was a Sunday School teacher, active in Ladies Circle and Bible Study Group and helped with the Bloodmobile, serving as chair for several years. In her spare time Frances enjoyed reading and helping others in any way she was needed. In 2007 Clarence and Tootie were honored by being crowned King and Queen of Tivoli Fest in Elk Horn. When her health began to fail, Tootie became a resident of Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn in the fall of 2009. Her husband died March 9, 2014. Tootie died about six months later on Saturday, September 27, 2014, several days after suffering a stroke. She was 92 years, 9 months and 16 days of age. Preceding her in death are her husband of 72 years Clarence; parents; sister Florence (Wayne) Williams; and two nephews Jesse and Robert Berst. Tootie is survived by her two children Larry (Nancy) Klein of Harlan and Faye (Jerry) Nelsen of Anita; four grandchildren: Tracey Klein of Harlan, Marcy (Eddie) Payden of Syracuse, NE, Lori (Wade) Forsberg of Thief River Falls, MN and Sheri (Jon) Bernard of Kingwood, TX; eight great grandchildren: Michael, Taylor and Marcus Klein; Mackayla and Cody Bernard; Hunter and Sydney Paden; and Jadeann Forsberg; three step great grandchildren: Jessika, Brittney and Cassidy Forsberg; one step great great grandson Hunter; brother Dale Berst of St Paul, NE; sister in law Vera (Allen) Stedman of Wilderville OR; nieces , nephews, other relatives and friends. Officiating REVEREND KEITH MENTER Music "HOW GREAT THOU ART" CONGREGATION "IN THE GARDEN" "THE LORD'S PRAYER" PASTOR MENTER NANCY WATSON, ACCOMPANIST Casket Bearers TRACY KLEIN EDDIE PADEN HUNTER PADEN WADE FORSBERG MICHAEL KLEIN JON BERNARD Honorary Casket Bearers MARCY PADEN LORI FORSBERG SHERI BERNARD TAYLOR KLEIN SYDNEY PADEN MACKAYLA BERNARD JADEANN FORSBERG MARCUS KLEIN CODY BERNARD JESSIKA FORSBERG BRITTNEY FORSBERG CASSIDY FORSBERG