Carmen Lee Klatt, 79, of rural Blue Earth, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, at her home. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Dec. 21 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Elmore, with the Rev. Dale Kohrs officiating. Burial was at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in rural Elmore. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com.

Carmen was born May 15, 1934, in Elmore, the daughter of John H. and Wilma (Smith) Clark. She was raised in the Huntley area and later in Elmore where she was a 1952 graduate of Elmore High School. She attended Mankato Business College and later earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Mankato State University. Carmen married Virgil Klatt on Sept. 25, 1954, in Elmore. The couple lived on the Klatt family farm near Elmore, Carmen for more than 56 years. Carmen was a homemaker and a regular substitute teacher in the Elmore and Blue Earth elementary schools. She also enjoyed volunteering to teach masterpiece art. She was a very active, longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Elmore where she was choir director for 46 years and sang in the Advent Candlelight service for 58 straight years. She held many offices in the church and was part of the Ladies Aid and taught Bible school and Sunday school. She was active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League where she held local and state offices including: zone treasurer, MN South District financial secretary, nominating committee, teller chairman and director of the MN South District choir. She was also the music coordinator for the International LWML Conference in St. Paul in 1999. She was a 45 year member and current chairperson of the Faribault County Extension Committee, a member of the Human Services Board, was a judge at the local and regional science fairs for many years and directed the 125th Elmore anniversary choir. She also performed with the Blue Earth Community Choir and in many community theater productions.

Carmen is survived by sons Rev. Michael (Holly) Klatt of Columbus, Neb., and David (Shari) Klatt of Albert Lea; daughter, Sheryl (Joel) Eckhardt of Blue Earth; brother, Dean Clark of Owatonna; sister, Doris Mikkelson of Blue Earth; and nine grandchildren Nathan, Caleb, Colin, Rachel Klatt, Travis (Ly-fiancée), Nichelle, Aaron Klatt, Amanda (Cody) Hyland and Daniel Eckhardt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Virgil, in 2002; brother, Melvin (Bud) Clark; sister, Lucille Brekhus; three sisters-in-law; and three brothers-in-law.

The family thanks God for Carmen and rejoices in the truth that she celebrated Christmas with her savior, Jesus Christ, in heaven.