Elsie H. Klein (Burns-Christopherson), Minneapolis
Elsie H. Klein (Burns-Christopherson), 92, passed away February 22, 2013 at the Ebenezer Care Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A memorial service is planned for April 27, 2013 at 11:15 a.m. at the Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Chapel with Pastor Brandenburg officiating. A visitation prior to the service will be at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Six Mile Grove Cemetery.
Elsie was born on the family farm near rural Danvers in Swenoda Township July 12, 1920. She was the youngest of a family of 10 children. There was no school bus transportation in District #34, so every day she would walk the two miles each way. This continued until the graduation from the eighth grade.
Elsie was confirmed and baptized at the Immanuel Church (Six Mile Grove). In the later years, her membership was at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson.
September 3, 1938, Elsie was united in marriage to Raymond Burns. To this union three children were born. They lived in the Benson area until just after World War II. They relocated to spend the next seven years in International Falls. In 1953, she moved to Willmar where she could be closer to family. In 1954, she moved to Benson. Elsie purchased a home on the north side of town and continued to own the home the remainder of her years.
Elsie was employed in the community; Knights Cafe, Swift County Hospital, Super Valu, A&W and Roy Peterson family. She enjoyed visiting with friends and relatives, providing coffee and treats as well as many meals to those who were house guests. She also enjoyed playing cards and doing word find books. A car ride towards evening to look for wildlife was always an item that never got old.
In October 1965, Elsie married Jasper Klein of International Falls. Elsie was a homemaker and spent some time working as a volunteer with the blood bank and as an election judge, cultivating friendships from the former years she lived and worked at Schultz Bakery.
In early 1986, Jasper passed away, so again Elsie moved back to Benson to the house that she had owned since 1954. Her later years were spent living with her children due to failing health.
Elsie was preceded in death by: husbands, Raymond Burns and Jasper Klein; parents, Hans and Emma Christopherson; sisters, Mae (Mrs. Alex Nelson), Pearl Christopherson; brothers: Edward (Ann), Melvin, Clifford (Marie), Roy, Harold, Orin (Coyla), Woodrow; Jasper Klein’s adult sons, Robert and Gordon Klein; two great grandsons.
She is survived by: Robert (Evelyn) of Stockton, CA, James (Judy) of Minneapolis, John (Sharon) of Wadena; 11 grandchildren; 31 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
