Anna Martha (Scholz) Klema, 102, of Russell, Kansas, died on Wednesday, February 06, 2019, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, Kansas.
Anna was born on April 19, 1916, in Huron, Kansas, the daughter of George F. and Anna Dorathea (Buttron) Scholz. She grew up in Huron, Kansas, and graduated from Huron High School in 1933. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics from Kansas State University in 1940. After college she worked as a extension agent for 2 years. She met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Dell Klema on February 14, 1943. From this union they were blessed with 4 children Georganna, Dell, Jr., Karleen and Kaye. She joined the United States Navy WAVES for a year as a supervisor of enlisted women. On June 13, 1965, Anna and Dell received word that Dell’s brother and wife were killed in a tragic plane crash leaving behind 5 sons Frank, Martin, Steven, Michael and Brian. Anna and Dell without hesitation decided to raise the boys as their own and welcomed them into the family. Anna’s primary job was wife, mother and homemaker for her rapidly growing family. She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell and was a member of the Lutheran Church Women. She was also a member of the American Legion Post #99, Russell Rotary, Elks, Tops, 4-H, Kansas State Campus Ministry, Deines Cultural Center, Russell Historical Society, Russell Hospital Auxiliary, church quilting group, Girl and Boy Scouts. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include daughter Georganna McCrary (Dick), son D. J. Klema, Jr., daughter Karleen J. Wolf (Richard), and daughter Kaye Schlessman (Bill) all of Russell, and sons Martin (Becky) Klema of Ellisville, Missouri, Michael Klema (Kathy) of Lenexa, Kansas and Brian Klema (Mit) of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Kim Birky, Marc McCrary and Christopher Wolf, Valerie, Courtney, Kelsey and Ian Klema; great grandchildren Jacob McCrary, Ryan and Cole Birky, Azrael, Jordan and Danica Wolf.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dell, sister Pauline Confer, and brothers Gilbert and Karl Scholz; nephews Frank and Steven Klema and a grandson James Wolf.
A celebration of Anna’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, February 09, 2019, at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Visitation will be from Noon to 8 P.M. on Friday, February 08, 2019, at the mortuary with family greeting guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening. Memorials may be given to the St. John Lutheran Church or Kansas 4-H Foundation and sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.