Emilene “Clem” Kleinwolterink, age 84 of Sibley, IA, passed away at the Sibley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, November 19, 2014.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Sibley Christian Reformed Church in Sibley, IA. Burial will be prior to the service at 9:45 a.m. at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon, IA.
Visitation will be at the Sibley Christian Reformed Church on Friday, November 21st from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday evening.
The Sanborn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for 84 year-old Emilene “Clem” Kleinwolterink of Sibley.
Emilene “Clem” Kleinwolterink, daughter of Peter and Lydia (Huizenga) Faber, was born September 8, 1930 in Doon, IA and grew up in Orange City, IA. She passed away on November 19, 2014.
As a young woman, through her married and mothering years, and into retirement, Clem found satisfaction in whatever she put her hand to. As a single, young lady, she waited tables at the Corner Café in Orange City, where she was given the nickname Clem. After earning a teaching certificate from Northwestern Academy, Clem taught at Sanborn Christian School. It was during that time she met, and eventually married Edwin Kleinwolterink on August 18, 1954; they were married for over 50 years.
Clem and Edwin started out married life on a dairy farm near Sheldon, IA. While Barry, Bradley and David were little she stayed at home to raise the boys. In 1960, the family moved to Sibley where she began to try her hand at several successful business endeavors and developed her creative, profitable entrepreneurial skills. Many have fond memories of bus trips she organized, the popcorn wagon she and Edwin ran, rummage sales, decorating cakes and vending routes. She and Ed enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and thoroughly enjoyed their grandkids, each in a special way. In 2005 Clem was widowed and moved from her home of over 45 years in Sibley to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon. After a year there she moved to Sibley Nursing and Rehab which was her home for 7 years.
Throughout her life, Clem faithfully served the Lord at Sibley Christian Reformed Church. Clem loved to make music. For years she exercised her talent of playing the piano and organ to lead the congregation in worship and the children in praising the Lord. Teaching Sunday School, coordinating Coffee Break Bible Study, and volunteering in her community were part of Clem’s life for over 50 years. Clem feared the Lord and her faith in God’s goodness sustained her in times of trouble especially losing their son Barry when he was only 21.
Clem was a people person through and through and she was a master of hospitality. She enjoyed and was skilled at coordinating and planning large or small gatherings for family and friends. She deeply loved, cared for, and knew well all her family, friends, birthday club members, and neighbors.
Survivors include her sons and grandchildren: Bradley of Sheldon, IA, his children: Cody (Shannon) Kleinwolterink of New Bern, NC, and Carter Kleinwolterink of Brandon, SD; David (Donna) of Sibley, IA, and their children: Amos (Heather) Kleinwolterink of Okinawa, Japan, April Kleinwolterink (fiance, Brian Blair) of Minneapolis, MN, Ethan Kleinwolterink of Orange City, IA, Kendra and Kelsey Kleinwolterink both of Schenectady, NY; 8 great-grandchildren; sister, Karen Bergsma of Milford, IA; sisters-in-law: Judy (Gerald) Jongerius, Marge (Orville) Beltman, Lorna Reinders, and Norma Kleinwolterink; brother-in-law, Myron (Marilyn) Kleinwolterink; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Edwin; step-mother, Lucy Faber; son, Barry Kleinwolterink; and grandson, Brock Kleinwolterink.
