Evelyn Kleine

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Kleine, Evelyn (Holm) Age 112, longtime resident of Columbia Heights, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Evelyn was a Super- centenarian and she held the great honor of being the oldest known living person in Minnesota for nearly 2 years. She was so humble on her many media interviews and was amazed watching herself on television. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gus and Anna Holm; first husband, Thornton McCurdy; second husband, Charles Kleine; siblings, Esther Burns, Ruth Nelson, Adeline Bixler, Leonard Holm; and nephew, Gordon Bixler, Sr. She is survived by nieces, JoAn Ecklund, Janice Mole, Pat Naegele, Bev Larson; special great nieces, Joanie Anderson and Sherry Swanson; 18 great nieces/nephews; 34 great- great nieces/nephews; 22 great- great-great nieces/nephews; many other relatives and friends. Evelyn was born in NE Mpls. to her Swedish immigrant parents, but grew up in Columbia Heights. She had fond memories of sliding down the hills in winter, growing vegetables in the family garden and picking hazelnuts in the woods north of 44th Ave. At 16, she learned to drive in the family's model T Ford, driving up and down Reservoir Blvd. Evelyn was proud that she was still driving at age 99. In 1925, Evelyn graduated from Vocational High School in Mpls., as a seamstress/dressmaker. She enjoyed making and altering clothes her entire life, including her own outfit for her 100th birthday party. In her early years, Evelyn was active in outdoor activities; fishing, hunting, golfing and hiking. She was a member of the Mpls. Hiking Club, where she met her first husband. She met her second husband while attending the Methodist church in Pittsburgh. Throughout her two marriages, she lived in the states of WI, PA, FL and MN. Evelyn was always very independent and lived in her own apartment until she was 104, when she moved to St. Anthony Nursing Home. She was a long-time member of Community United Methodist Church, Golden Age Club and Col. Heights Sr. Center. One of her greatest joys was playing cards. Whether it was Canasta, Pinochle, Cribbage or her favorite, 500! Until recently, she continued to play cards and was playing Bingo just a week before she passed away. Evelyn was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was a remark- able woman, who was truly an inspiration to all she knew and loved. When asked to what she attributed her long life, she said, "clean living, lots of vitamins and staying out of trouble." Funeral service Friday, December 20, 11:00 AM, Community United Methodist Church, 950 Gould Ave NE, Columbia Heights. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. Memorials preferred. Washburn-McReavy.com Columbia Hts Chapel 763-789-4436

Published on December 15, 2019