Jean Alice (Houghtaling) Kleve

Jean Alice (Houghtaling) Kleve was born April 17, 1923 in Cedar Falls, Wisconsin to parents Walter Houghtaling and Effie (Patterson) Houghtaling. She joined her older sister Elsie who was 3 years old. The family lived in Cedar Falls until 1928 when they moved west to Hubbard, Oregon. Jean and Elsie welcomed their sister Arlene in 1935. Jean graduated from Hubbard High School in 1941 and went on to business college.

She met Loren Edward Kleve on a blind date in 1942 and by the time he left for a tour of duty in the Army in 1943, they knew they had something special. After Loren shipped out, Jean went to Anchorage, Alaska with three friends and her sister Elsie to work on an Army base. She loved Alaska and always wanted to return.

Loren returned from Europe in April of 1946 and they picked up where they left off 3 years before. They were married October 19, 1946 in Bandon, Oregon. They bought tickets to take a ship to Alaska to start their married life but a maritime strike delayed their plans. After several months of the strike, they decided to settle in Bandon where Jean’s family was.

In 1948 they welcomed their son Ron and in 1954 their daughter Diane. Jean and Loren made the choice to serve God in 1950 and that choice had great impact on their lives. They lived on the coast for 10 years and moved back to the ‘valley’ in 1957. They built a house on 10 acres in Eagle Creek and loved living on the small farm. They had a large vegetable garden, fruit trees, and livestock and would live on their farm for 41 years.

Jean loved camping, hiking and was always ready for an adventure. Jean and Loren finally made it to Alaska in June of 1990. They enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Death Valley, the Grand Canyon, and to every corner of Oregon. Grandchildren Ryan, Lindsay, Andrew and Emery brought Jean and Loren much joy. Gramma Jean loved camping trips with the grandkids and giving piggyback rides.

In 2001, Jean and Loren moved to Sandy, Oregon as Loren’s health was failing. He passed away in 2006 and Jean missed him deeply. Her later years were blessed with four great-grandsons – Harrison, Elliot, Owen and Leo. She loved spending time with family, her many friends, gardening and baking. She always had an attitude of gratitude even during hard times. She will be greatly missed and her example of loving others, strength of character and joy in living will always be remembered.

Jean passed away November 14, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband, Loren, sisters; Elsie Greenfield and Arlene. She is survived by her son, Ron and wife Diane; daughter, Diane Nerz and husband Steve; grandchildren, Ryan Kleve, Emery Kleve, Lindsay Nerz and Andrew Nerz; and great-grandsons, Harrison, Elliot, Owen and Leo.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a charitable donation to Parkinson’s Resource Organization. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the Kleve family.