Susanne Klein

Susanne ‘Susie’ Klein was born in Muscatine, Iowa on August 30, 1928, to Robert ‘RK’ and Mildred Barry. She passed after 93 years of life on February 12, 2022. She spent most of her final days at home as she was able to enjoy the warmth, safety and view of one of her favorite places. She was thankful for her family and friends, as it was those closest to her that helped her to remain at home as long as it was possible. 

She expressed her desire to have family thank the close friends, neighbors, the Cass County Hospital employees and the Heritage House employees for all the love and care they provided Susanne through her loss of her husband, Jim Klein and then in her final days.

For those that knew Susanne, she was blessed by God with the gift of loving and caring for others. There are many that can give countless examples of how her love left a lasting impact on us. While she and Jim had no children, she knew no strangers and took the opportunity to love those around her as if they were her own. In that sense, we were all her children as her nurturing love was undeniable and widespread.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews, along with their families and their children. As important, she is survived by many other friends and families who felt her love and can now continue to spread the love she so generously shared with them.

She worked several jobs in her life but is best remembered for making and keeping a home in which, all were welcome. Many a weary traveler found physical and emotional rest, undying love and happiness in her home. Everything moved slowly and time seemed irrelevant in her condo, that is except for cocktail hour and time to play golf or cards. 

She loved nature and found beauty in things small and large like the brilliant sunsets she witnessed nightly from her perch above hole #18. She was an amazing artist and used her creative talents whenever an opportunity arose. She was curious her whole life, loved learning and was never too proud to receive some of Jim’s ‘guidance’. 

Susanne deeply loved Jim as the two of them lived a full life and were blessed by each other. While there were ups and downs, they met the good and bad together coming out on the other side a little wiser and more beloved. This was true to the very end while Jim was at the Heritage House and they ended their nightly phone calls singing “You are my Sunshine” to each other.  

Susanne supported and loved ‘Jimmy’ endlessly. Their selfless love and commitment exemplified God’s intended purpose for love and marriage as they empowered each other to be both better persons and live in a better world.

Susanne knew that a legacy left behind is of little value if it is not shared with others and allowed to blossom like a spring flower. Susanne’s final wish in her life was for the gift she was given to continue in the lives of all she touched and who in return blessed her. In honor of this wish memorials for Susanne may be directed to the kids’ scholarship fund at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, 1100 Maple Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.  Please note on your memorial: In Honor of Susanne Klein. 

A celebration of life will be scheduled by the family at a later date, when family and friends can gather and share their love, memories and time enjoying God’s creation. We hope when you see a beautiful sunset you are reminded of Susie’s great capacity to love.