Kathleen Louise Kleinpaste died at

her home on March 13, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kathleen was born on June 10, 1925, on her grandparents’ farm in Cuppy’s Grove, Iowa. She was the daughter of Neil Berg and Nellie (Nelson) Berg and the sister of Marlin (Bud), John and Robert. Her family moved to Clarks Grove, Minn., shortly after she was born and her father became pastor of the Clarks Grove Baptist Church. She was an honor student at Albert Lea High School. Kathleen married Harold Kleinpaste on Aug. 5, 1942. Their marriage thrived for 63 wonderful years and together, they raised four children, participated in community and church activities and traveled extensively throughout the world. Kathleen first began working outside the home in 1960 for attorney Gerald Larson and for the local Savings and Loan. When the family moved to Minneapolis, in 1964, Kathleen continued working and became the administrative assistant to the principal at North Junior High School. Kathleen loved the years she spent at the school and she and Harold cherished the many friendships that developed during those years. Kathleen later went on to become a highly successful real estate agent in the Minneapolis area. When Kathleen and Harold retired, they spent winters at their property in Green Valley, Ariz. and the remainder of the year in Green Lake, Wis. Again they found many, many friends in both places. During her time in Green Lake, Kathleen conducted tours of the area for the Green Lake Conference Center and in 2002 authored and published a historic book about the area. The book, &8220;Just Do It Jessie’s Way,&8221;

was a success and she went on to speak at many community events. Kathleen’s ability to play the piano by ear resulted in many years of personal enjoyment and professional success but the most satisfying aspect of her gift was the fun she had entertaining friends and family. In 2003 Kathleen and Harold purchased an apartment at the Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa. Kathleen had come full circle and returned to the area where she was born.

Preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and daughter-in-law Nancy (Stofferson) Kleinpaste.

Survived by her husband Harold Kleinpaste of Harlan, Iowa; sons Dan Kleinpaste (Pat) of Harlan, Iowa, Bob Kleinpaste (Sandy) of Baltimore, Md., daughters Paula McDougall (Bill Rutstein) of Deephaven, Minn., Lisa Rowan (Pete) of St. Paul, Minn., nine grandchildren Lindsey McDougall (Bob Orr), Julie Rowan (Max), Dana Kleinpaste, Michael McDougall, Angie Rowan, Jessie Rowan, Deb Huber (Troy), Deanna Stone (Rob), Dawn Paben (Justin) and great grandchildren Madalynn Stone and Malia Paben.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at Elm Crest Community Chapel. A subsequent service and final interment will be held in Clarks Grove later this spring.

Memorials preferred to the Green Lake Conference Center, W. 2511 State Road 23, Green Lake, WI 54941.