Eunice Klein

Richfield, Utah - Eunice Ann Schlecht Klein, age 73 of Richfield, died June 6, 2013 in Richfield, after facing several issues with determination and grace. She was born on February 12, 1940, in Java, South Dakota, a daughter of John and Mary Fleck Schlecht. She was raised on a farm, and taught the importance of hard work. On September 29, 1957, she married the love of her life, Wilbur (Willie) George Klein in Bowdle, South Dakota, and they spent the next 50 years facing life's blessings and challenges, hand in hand. Willie preceded her in death, July 4, 2007. Eunice and Willie started their marriage in their beloved South Dakota and they also spent part of their early years in Montana. They moved to California when their children were youg, and moved to Utah when their children were teens. They moved to Aurora in 1981, where other than a short 3 year diversion to South Dakota, they remained until 2004 when they moved to Richfield. Eunice had a strong faith, and spent many hours studying the scriptures she loved and lived by. She wanted to pass her love for the Lord on to everyone she met, and was known to silently pray for even a passerby that appeared to need some comfort. In addition to the work of being a wife and mother, she worked as a phone operator, waitress, professional flower arranger, motel manager, and catering assistant. Eunice loved to cook and bake, and enjoyed decorating her home She had amazing crochet talent, and created many beautiful quality heirloom pieces. She loved to garden, have impromptu picnics, and to celebrate holidays. If you asked her what she felt her biggest accomplishment was, she would have told you "My Family". She created a home environment that rivaled a Norman Rockwell Painting, with wonderful traditions, great food, laughter and love. She enjoyed "get togethers" and welcomed everyone whole heartedly. She made Christmas Eve the best day of the year. Her legacy will be the wonderful memories she created for so many and the kindness she extended to everyone she met. Eunice was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and dear Aunt. She had two children, Richard and Mary, and also raised Michael, whom she always considered her son. She also unofficially adopted a daughter, Becci, and her husband Richard, in adulthood. She enjoyed being a mother-in-law to Kelly Conder, whom she loved very much, and totally reveled in being a Gram to Colton, Colton's wife Tanesha, Aspen- whom she loved to the moon and back; Alyssa and Kaydance. She had a deep love for everyone she knew, and treated them as though she was their mother or grandma. She was known as Grandma Eunice to many extended family and friends, and had a special and close relationship to Rex, Carolyn and Kerry; Kris and family; Joan; Janet; Todd; Rustin and family; Chad; Kira; Chase and family, as well as several nieces and nephews, whom she loved very much. She is survived by her son, Richard Klein of Richfield; daughter, Mary and Kelly Conder of Richfield; grandson, Colton and Tanesha Conder of Annabella; granddaughter, Aspen Conder of Richfield; "Daughter" Becci and Richard O'Neil; granddaughter, Alyssa Mecham and great-granddaughter, Kaydance Mecham. She is also survived by a sister, Irene Aldinger of Bowdle, South Dakota; sisters-in-law: Bernice Schlecht, Luella Inman, Joann Preszler, Jean Klein, Lorraine Preszler, Verona Thornton, Alvina Tippie; brother-in-law: Ronnie and Evelyn Kosters, and all of her beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur; her parents; brothers: Fred and Robert; sisters: Doris and Evelyn; brothers-in-law: Leonard Aldinger, Merle Hemmah, Cliff Inman, Elmer Klein, Oscar Preszler, Harold Tippie, Gideon Preszler, Milbert Preszler, Wilhart Preszler; sister-in-law: Arlene Walters and a niece, Julie Klein. The family would like to thank the staff at Sevier Valley Dialysis for their tender and expert care of Eunice for the past five years. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. in the Springer Turner Funeral Home Chapel in Richfield, where friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Aurora City Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.