Elizabeth (Bette) A. Klein

Elizabeth A. Klein, age 92 of St. Peter and formerly of Kasota, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Benedictine Living Community in St. Peter.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at the Catholic Church of St. Peter with visitation beginning at 9:00 am. Burial will be at Kasota Hill Cemetery, Kasota. St. Peter Funeral Home - Klein chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

Elizabeth Ann was born January 25, 1926 in St. Peter to Carl and Anna (Anderson) Wistrom. She was raised in Kasota and graduated from Kasota High School as Salutatorian. She attended Mankato Commercial College and worked outside the home before her marriage.

Bette was united in marriage to James “Jim” B. Klein at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato. They built a family and home in Kasota where Bette was a homemaker and bookkeeper for Jim’s service station business. She also worked for many years as an election judge and was a member of the Fire Ladies who helped support the work of the Kasota volunteer firefighters.

Bette kept her Swedish heritage alive for many years by preparing her Christmas Eve dinner of lutefisk, which was highly anticipated by her family.  She enjoyed reading, embroidery, baking, and making anise candy. Bette was quick to help others and always willing to listen. She had a resilient inner strength that carried her through the many challenges of her long life.   

Bette will be missed by her children: David of Kasota, Patricia Flowers of Kasota, Linda Rupe of Waterville, Mary (Brian) Gunderson of St. Peter, Joanne (James) Randolph of St. Peter and Lisa Koble of North Mankato; 15 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim; her parents; sister, Helen Waddell; and sons-in-law: Arno Flowers and Richard Koble.