LEONARDA (NART) VAN KLEI, age 91, of Adrian, died Monday, October  24, 2011, at the Adrian Care Center, in Adrian.       She was born October 27, 1919 in Iona, to Joseph and Mary (Kellen) Thraen.
Nart was united in marriage to Ernest Van Klei on November 24, 1941, in Iona.   After their marriage, the couple farmed with Ernie's parents southwest of Iona.  In 1948, they began farming near Adrian.  They retired in 1987.
She was a member of St. Adrian Catholic Church.  Nart enjoyed her many years on the farm.  She loved her flowers and her garden.  She also enjoyed baking, cooking, crocheting, knitting and spending time with her family.
Nart is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, LeRoy & Sue Van Klei, rural Adrian; daughter and son-in-law, Marcia & LeWayne Koplow, rural Adrian; five grandchildren, Kristi (Mike) Kopplow-Dixon, Jeff (Dawn) Kopplow, Jared Kopplow, Amy  Ely, Angi (Mike) Gangestad; seven great grandchildren, Brendon, Jordin & Logan Kopplow, Jaylee Ely, Reagan Gangestad and Michael & Miles Dixon; four sisters; Eva Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD; Dorothy Sturges, Slayton; Alice Thraen, Rochester; Betty Rooker, Ripley, MS; three brothers, Ed Thraen, Slayton; Marion Thraen, Morris, MN; Rex (Suzanne) Thraen, Phoenix, AZ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernie; grandson, Jason Ernest Kopplow; grandson-in-law, Nick Mann; brothers Bud, Ray, Ally, & Delb Thraen; sisters, Marion Whaley and infant sister Barbara.

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