It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of our Mother, Ida Kleister, on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the age of 97 years. Mama was the matriarch of 5 generations. Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Ella (Richard) Belau and Ida (Joel) Simmons; 6 grandchildren, Rita (David) Nieman, Rick (Shelley) Belau, Rob (Tammy) Belau, Joell (Andi) Bacon, Mark (Lisa) Simmons and Lesley (Brett) Howe; along with 13 great grandchildren; and 3 great great grandchildren. Also surviving are her 3 sisters, Erika Schellenberg, Annella Bieber and Lilli Tessmann and their families. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Otto in 1999; her parents, Eduard (Emma) Tessmann and Bertha Tessmann; her one brother, Edmund and several siblings as infants.

Mama loved to spend many hours tending to her flowers and garden; and was blessed to live in her own home, until deteriorating health required her to move to Good Sam’s at the age of 91. She was involved with her church, singing in the German Choir and was a member of the Ladies Aid. League bowling was a weekly highlight for many years. Oma and Opa also enjoyed going fishing, frequently taking one or two grandchildren with them. She was an amazingly strong woman and tried to be a perfectionist in everything she did.