Notes:

Ione Jewel Klaessy, 86, of Parkers Prairie, died Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007, at St. William's Living Center in Parkers Prairie.

She was born Nov. 14, 1920, to John and Inga Aune at their farm in Sverdrup Township near Underwood in Otter Tail County, where she was raised along with her 11 siblings.

She attended Barnard School and graduated from Underwood High School. Ione was employed at various local businesses including Haberstad's Store and J.C. Penny in Fergus Falls. She was also employed as an inspector in Detroit, Mich., in the manufacturing of parts for the B-29 Superfortress during World War II.

On June 15, 1945, she married Dale Klaessy at First Lutheran Church in Pasco, Wash. They met when Dale's gospel quartet, which included her brother, Vernon, performed locally.

To those who knew her, she was credited with making each of the 29 places (in 13 states) where the family lived, unique and comfortable homes. Due to many long deployments during Dale's U.S. Navy career, Ione was often left to parent their three children, Sam, Kit and John alone.

Ione was considered by many to be an accomplished artist. She was not only one of the early members and an officer of the Art of Lakes, but was also one of the initial organizers of the Phelps Mill Festival.

A faithful volunteer at church and in the community, she belonged to the Gray Ladies nurses' assistants in the naval hospitals, worked at Camp Joy on Star Lake, and was a committed nursing home volunteer. Ione's other interest were Bible teaching, quilting, piano and travel.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dale; her children, Shelley (Sam) Klaessy; Kit (Gary) Harriger and John (Kelli) Klaessy; grandsons, Max and Sam Harriger; siblings, Kathryn (Frank) Maiolini, John (Beverly) Aune, Gudrun Otto, Mary (Julian) Wold, Philip (Joyce) Aune and Beverly (Irv) Dennen; brothers-in-law, Earl Klaessy and Ben Rhoads; sisters-in-law, Verla Klaessy and Marion Stith; and by many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Samuel John Klaessy; brothers, Lawrence, Vernon and James; sisters, Ruth Estes and Charlotte Rhoads; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Klaessy and Helen Aune; and brothers-in-law, Don Klaessy, Charles Estes and Herbert Otto.

Visitation: One hour prior to the service

Memorial Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, at Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls

Clergy: Rev. Bill Colbeck

Burial: Rindal Cemetery

Ione married Dale Stanley Klaessy on 15 Jun 1945 in Pasco, Washington, USA. Dale (son of Samuel Klaessy and Signe Marie Holm) was born on 22 Jan 1922 in Renwick, Humboldt County, Iowa, USA; died on 9 Sep 2012 in Parkers Prairie, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA; was buried on 22 Sep 2012 in Rindal Cemetery, Underwood, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Samuel John Klaessy was born on 15 Apr 1946 in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA; died on 21 Apr 1999; was buried in Rindal Cemetery, Underwood, Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA.
2. Kathleen Jo Klaessy was born on 2 Aug 1948 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA.
3. John Dale Klaessy was born on 17 Jun 1957 in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, USA.