Leona Kluemper, 98, Jasper

Leona Kluemper, 98, of Jasper, passed away at 7:23 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Northwood Retirement Community  in Jasper.

She was born at Celestine on December 22, 1919, to George and Caroline (Schnell) Heldman. She married Wilfred “Bill” Kluemper on June 17, 1944. He preceded her in death on September 5, 2007.

Leona along with her late husband owned and operated the Palm Gardens at Bretzville for 17 years and then owned and operated Bill’s Truck Stop in Birdseye for nine years. She was a member of Precious Blood Catholic Church, Brute Society, Ladies Sodality of Precious Blood and the V.F.W. Auxiliary to post # 673 in Jasper.

Leona enjoyed the many visits from friends, family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her hobbies included cooking, baking, bingo and playing the harmonica and dancing.

She is survived by four daughters, Judith (Morris) Klem of Jasper, Mary Jo (John) Hart of Jasper, Becky (Bill) Troesch of Ferdinand and Jackie (Randy) Seifert of Jasper; seven sons, Donald (Kathy) Kluemper of St.  Anthony, Bob (Brenda) Kluemper of Villages, Fla., John (Chris) Kluemper of Jasper, Albert (Pamela) Kluemper of Ferdinand, Jim (Amanda) Kluemper of Jasper, Willie (Medea) Kluemper of Jasper and Larry (Connie) Kluemper of Jasper; 28 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren; one brother, Cletus Heldman of Aberdeen, Md.; two sisters, Lucille Blume of Jasper and Delphine Knies of Jasper.

Preceding her in death besides her husband are one daughter, Carol Jean Kluemper; two sisters, Albertha Knies and Margaret Schroering; four brothers, Barnabas, Joseph, Raymond and Norman Heldman.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Precious Blood Catholic Church with entombment to follow in Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 16, 2018, at the Becher-Kluesner North Chapel in Jasper. Rosary will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.