Obituary of Joanne Bjork Klein

"In my father's house are many mansions/I have gone to prepare a place for you." John 14:2 Joanne Bjork Klein passed away peacefully on January 29,2012 surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 28, 1929 to Orlando and Minnie Bjork in Rosholt, South Dakota. Her immigrant Swedish and Norwegian family came to till the soil of the Dakota prairie and helped establish the town of Rosholt in 1913. Joanne was always proud of her heritage, which she celebrated with annual sojourns to her family home. She will be laid to rest in Bethania Cemetery, which overlooks the town. After graduating from Rosholt High School in 1947 Joanne enrolled at St. Olaf College. She met Richard (Dick) Klein on a blind date and they were married on June 26, 1948. By the time Dick graduated from dental school, they had two kids, Bob and Jim. Daughter Nancy soon followed, born in Denver, CO during Dick's stint with the army. In 1954 the Klein family migrated west to Tacoma, WA and eventually settled in Lakewood. By the early 1960's, they had added Peter, Jennifer and Stephen to the family; Lisa and Andrea followed soon after. Despite a busy life filled with husband, kids and assorted pets, Joanne steadily worked toward getting her college degree. In 1963, she earned her BA in Education from Pacific Lutheran University. Thus began a lifelong affiliation with PLU and the Scandinavian Cultural Center where she received an Outstanding Service Award. She was also a founding member of Christ Lutheran Church in Lakewood and an early supporter of Lakewood Nursery School and Charles Wright Academy, where seven of their eight children attended school. A life-long learner and supporter of the arts, Joanne enjoyed theater, reading, painting and collecting art, especially Native American pieces and Russian icons. Always an active person, she loved hiking, kayaking and bird watching. In her forties she took up running, logging countless miles and eventually completing three marathons. She also skied at Crystal Mountain (breaking a leg while five months pregnant!) and hiked with family and friends around Mt. Rainier and in the North Cascades. Over the years she and Dick traveled extensively, preferring trips that allowed them to become completely immersed in the culture of a new place. Above all, Joanne loved people. Her favorite times were spent entertaining family and friends at her home on Steilacoom Lake, and more recently, in Tahuya, WA and Posada Concepcion, near Muleje, Mexico. At these gatherings Joanne loved to prepare foods of many cultures in addition to classic Scandinavian dishes. Joanne was preceeded in death by her son, Stephen (Shelley). She is survived by her husband, Richard, of 63 years, and her children Robert (Cindy), James, Nancy, Peter (Sheila), Jennifer (Brent), Lisa and Andrea (Ben), as well as grandchildren Christopher, Seth, Peter, Alec, Zachary, Nathalie, Stephanie, Gavin, Kate, Taylor, Isaak and Henry, and great grandchild Alana. "Joanne was the love of my life, my daily companion, my very best friend. Now she is in the loving arms of Jesus. May she rest in peace." – Dick A celebration of Joanne's life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 8211 112th St. SW Lakewood on Saturday, March 3rd at 2:00pm. Donations in Joanne's name can be made to the Scandinavian Cultural Center at Pacific Lutheran University and Franciscan Hospice House. Please share memories and condolences at www.edwardsmemorial.com