Helen Lucille Klein

She, along with a twin brother, Henry Jr., was born on October 18, 1920, in rural Hoisington, Barton Co, Kansas, to Henry and Justina Ochs. She shared her childhood with nine siblings, who have all preceded her in death. On March 11, 1939, she married Victor A. Klein, and together they raised four children, Vicki, Sue, Mike, and Mark. They lived their early years in Ness City, Kansas, where she was actively involved in the Methodist Church choir, a ladies’ singing trio, and held various community service positions. She dearly loved to sing and listen to barbershop style music, and played gospel and ragtime music on the piano “by ear”. In 1963, they relocated for a short time to Liberal, Kansas, then resettled to the natural gas capital of the world, Hugoton, Kansas. She managed the administrative and bookkeeping responsibilities for their automotive repair business known as Vic’s Safety Lane, and operated her solely owned Christian Book store, she affectionately named “The Open Door”. Her favorite pastimes included participation in a Sweet Adeline’s choir and quartet, which was widely acclaimed in statewide performances throughout Kansas.

Following her husband’s retirement, they relocated to Norman, Oklahoma where they fulfilled a grandparent’s dream of being near family and grandkids. She loved Norman and made many new friends while singing in the Baptist Church choir. Most of her retirement years were spent volunteering at Norman Regional’s Hospitality Center, following her grandchildren’s school and sports activities, and becoming an avid OU Sooner football fan. She chuckled about receiving a hug from Barry Switzer in a local restaurant, and taking her photograph with Bob Stoops. After her husband’s passing in 1994, she lived alone in her home until she was 90 years old, occupying her time with bus tours and mission trips with her church group and entertaining herself with crossword puzzles and dominoes with lady friends. She loved planting flowers in the springtime and devoting time for dolls and dress-up with her little granddaughters.

Throughout her lifetime, she volunteered time to various political causes, freely offering her opinions and leaving no doubt about her affiliation with the Republican Party. She could cook and clean in typical German form, but she never considered those necessary tasks as highlight moments of her free time. She loved glitzy jewelry and always had a dazzling wardrobe of bright clothes complimented by feathers, furs, silver slippers and boots. As she aged, her beautiful white hair was her crowning glory. During these years, she was blessed to travel with family members to Israel where she was baptized in the Jordan River at the age of 81. While in her 80’s she traveled to Germany, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Hawaii and enjoyed a most unforgettable 89th birthday cruise in the Carribbean with over 40 of her nephews, nieces, children and grandchildren. Many of her Christmases included family ski vacations to Angel Fire, New Mexico.

She was affectionately known as “granny goose” to Scott and Brad Ohlemeier, Dalon and Darin Schuckman, Jason and Terah Klein (Devine), Brittany Klein (Jones), Bryant, Brent, and Braden Klein. She was great-grandmother to Gabe and Zach Ohlemeier, Kelton, Jenna, Nathan, and Hannah Schuckman; Hayes and Kendall Devine, Katie (Villanueva) and Madison Klein; Zayne, Maddyx-Tate and Collier Jones; Camden and Heidi Klein.

She is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Victoria Kay and Dennis Ohlemeier of Denton, TX; Kathyrn Sue and Maynard Schuckman of Norman, OK; son, Michael David Klein, Noble, OK; and son and daughter-in-law, Mark Edward and Kimberly Klein of Norman, OK; the above-mentioned 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Her heartfelt love for her former daughter-in-law, Dianne Klein, endured throughout her life.

Aunt Helen was the “matriarch” of the Ochs family of Central Kansas. She leaves behind many precious nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly and who are now her legacy.

A celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., March 5, 2016, at the Primrose Funeral Service Chapel, with Pastor D.C. Riley officiating.

A memorial has been established with the Good Shepherd Hospice and family asked for donations be sent to Good Shepherd Hospice in Lieu of flowers.