Beatrice Mae Kleiner

Kleiner, Beatrice Mae "Bea", age 94 of Hopkins died on August 11, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Bea was born on July 2, 1928, to Harry and Selma (Seehagen) Nelson. She was raised in Juneau, Wisconsin, and graduated from Juneau High School in 1946. She enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison later that year, graduating in 1950. While at UW-Madison, she met the love of her life, Don Kleiner. Bea and Don were married on October 21, 1950, and were together for over seventy-one years until Don's death in February 2022. Bea was blessed with five children, who made life...interesting. All are thankful there were no cellphone cameras or social media in the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Fortunately, she was also blessed with fourteen grandchildren and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren. While we are fairly sure that Bea liked her children, there is no doubt that she loved and adored her grands and great grands. Bea never let a birthday or other special day pass without a phone call and card. She relished gatherings of family and friends for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, neighborhood block parties, and church festivals. Bea was an avid participant in life. If something had "Club" or "League" in its name, Bea was there. Golf, bowling, books, biking, walking, prayer shawl knitting, and bible study were among her interests. She loved to travel, and had cherished memories of trips with Don, her sister Alice, her children, friends, and neighbors. She loved her Minnesota Twins, a nice glass of Merlot, and rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy! If the phone rang at 5:00, odds were good that Bea nailed the Final Jeopardy question. Ever the consummate caregiver, Bea helped care for her father Harry until his death at age 103 and cared for Don in the last several years of his life. She was the strongest person any of her children have ever known. Bea was preceded in death by her husband Don, parents Harry and Selma Nelson, BFF/travel buddy/sister Alice Grieve and her husband Bob, brother Harry Jr., and many other relatives, friends, and neighbors. Bea loved her parents and siblings dearly and missed them terribly. No doubt the reunion was a sight to behold. Bea is survived by her children Mary (Glenn) Schiffler, Kevin (Toni), Patrick (Jamie), Molly (David) Tomsche, and Tom (Maria), her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends. Our family would like to give a special thank you to Park Nicollet Hospice, especially Nina and Rebekah. Also, special thanks to the most wonderful neighbors who have surrounded the Kleiner family with their care and love for so many years. Memorials preferred to Sharing and Caring Hands or the National Ataxia Foundation. A private funeral Mass was held on August 22, 2022, at the Washburn-McReavy Edina chapel. Burial to be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Tributes

Beatrice Mae Kleiner

July 2, 1928 - August 11, 2022

Tributes

Beatrice Mae Kleiner

July 2, 1928 - August 11, 2022

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