Elenora Louise Klenske

Elenora L. Klenske, 86, of Waukon, IA, died Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Private family graveside services were held in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. A memorial mass will be held at a later date at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to Jim Klenske, 201 7th Avenue NE, Waukon, IA 52172. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a charity of donor's choice, Good Samaritan Society, St. Patrick Catholic Church, or St. Patrick Catholic School, all in Waukon.

Elenora Louise Klenske was born September 14, 1933, in New Hampton, IA, the daughter of Louis and Helena (Kramer) Brown. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Hampton, attended rural country schools in Chickasaw County and St. Mary's Elementary School, and graduated from New Hampton High School in 1951. After high school, she worked as a secretary for the Iowa Department of Social Services. On June 29, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart James Bernard Klenske at St. Mary's Catholic Church. While Jim was in the service she traveled with him to different bases in the United States from 1953 to 1955. They moved to Waukon in 1956, where she stayed at home to raise her children until they were older. Elenora opened up a bridal store and operated that for five years; she then was the secretary for St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. Elenora and Jim owned and operated Klenske Drug Store in Waukon for over 40 years.

Elenora was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, a longtime member of a Catholic study group Kateri Tekakwitha, and a scout leader. She enjoyed playing golf, bowling, working crossword puzzles, playing bridge in three different card clubs, and playing pinochle. She also liked dancing, especially to Big Band music. She loved hosting her family and friends, enjoyed sewing clothes for her daughters, and going shoe shopping with them too. Elenora and Jim traveled to many places including: New Orleans, Florida, Washington D.C., Boston, eastern Canada, the Black Hills, Alaska, the Ozarks, and Europe; they also made many trips to the lakes in Minnesota and went camping in a few states (which was something she really didn't care for).

Survivors include her husband James "Jim" of Waukon; her children: Elizabeth Kloster of Marengo, IA, Ann Ewing of Waukon, Thomas (Lisa) Klenske of Cedar Falls, IA, Timothy (Kathy) Klenske of Davenport, IA, Susan (Chuck) Mincks of Marion, IA, and Mary Prior of Houston, TX; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and son-in-law Kevin Hoisington of Waukon. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Cynthia Hoisington; son-in-law John Kloster; grandson Jeff Kloster; a brother Virgil Brown; and two sisters: Vivian and Lorraine.