WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Aretha Mary Klopfenstein, age 88, of Howe, Ind., went to be with her Lord and Savior unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon, July 25, 2012, at her home.
She was born Feb. 1, 1924, in Belgian Congo, Africa to missionary parents, Henry and Phyllis (Stocker) Klopfenstine.
Mrs. Klopfenstein resided most of her life in Howe, Ind., with her early life being lived in Monroe, Ind.On March 11, 1945, she married Carl J. Klopfenstein in Monroe. He died Aug. 4, 1959.
She retired from ARC in LaGrange, Ind., after more than 20 years of bus driving. Before joining ARC, she had worked at the telephone company in LaGrange for more than 20 years.
Mrs. Klopfenstein was a member of the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene and Super Sixties. She enjoyed reading her Bible, sewing, cooking, painting, singing and playing the piano and organ. Her gift of baking pies and decorating cakes will be missed by many. She truly loved spending time with her family, including her grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren and friends.
She is survived by her four sons, Roger (Lisa) Klopfenstein, Dale (Joan) Klopfenstein, Gary (Raejean) Klopfenstein and Tony (Debi) Klopfenstein, all of Howe; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Avon (Sally) Klopfenstein of Kendallville, Ind., David (Iva) Klopfenstein of Albion, Ind., and Gerald (Erma) Klopfenstein of Brimfield, Ind.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Larry Klopfenstein; a sister, Delores Rickord; and a brother, Nathan Klopfenstein.
The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Sunday and 10-10:45 a.m. Monday at Sturgis Church of the Nazarene, 70031 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis. Funeral services celebrating the life of Aretha Klopfenstein will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church. The Rev. John Shoup will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at the Riverside Cemetery in Howe.
Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial donations would be appreciated to the Sturgis Church of the Nazarene or Gideon International.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
