Elreen Rosella (Klimek) Coates

ELREEN (KLIMEK) COATES Elreen Rosella Korkowski was born June 17, 1925 in Millerville, MN, the daughter of Michael and Anna (Koeplin) Korkowski. Her father died before she was born. Later her mother married Cyril Wagner. Elreen was baptized and confirmed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Brandon, MN. She attended country school and graduated from Brandon High School in 1943. On September 6, 1943 Elreen was united in marriage to Sigebert “Bert” Klimek, son of Paul and Mary (Stich) Klimek. Elreen was a pioneer woman who, with Bert, raised five children on a farm near Brandon. In addition to being a very hardworking farm wife and mother, Elreen worked as a nurse assistant at Crestview Manor in Evansville, MN for nearly twenty years. Elreen and Bert were together for almost 47 years. Following Bert’s death in 1990 Elreen moved off the farm and into Brandon. On September 29, 1995 Elreen married Robert (Bob) Coates and the two of them made their home near Alexandria during the summer months and spent their winters in AZ. With Bob she found a companion whom she shared eighteen years. Bob died in April of 2013. In May 2014 Elreen moved from Arabella Manor in Alexandria to Brandons Assisted Living in Brandon. She was a member of St. Ann’s Christian Mothers, St. Mary’s Daughters of Isabella and the Red Hat Society. Elreen was a warm and loving mother who always made sure her kids came first. To her friends, she was a cheerful, energetic and compassionate force. Elreen was a lover of life; she lived every moment to its fullest. Elreen’s love for life included love of music and dance (polka), love of family and friends, love for playing cards and games, love for gardening, love for quilting and love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These great loves helped her to lead a full and rich life. Elreen died peacefully on December 1, 2014 at the age of eighty-nine at Brandons Assisted Living, Brandon, MN. Elreen is survived by two daughters and three sons; Kathy Woltjer and husband, Ronald, of Elbow Lake, MN, Esther Skoglund and husband, Kent, of Willmar, MN, Gary Klimek and wife, Doreen, of Muncy, PA, Kevin Klimek and wife, Carmen, of Denver, CO and Bryan Klimek and wife, Jocelyne of Rochester, MN. She is the proud grandmother to twelve grandchildren, Paul Klimek, Ted Klimek, Kerry Klimek, Jessica (Paul) Nelson, Steven Woltjer, Leisha Woltjer, Jill (Andreas) Hansen, Michael (Melinda) Skoglund, Daniel Claassen, Jammie (Dean) McGuire, Lucas (Tiffini) Whiting and McKenzy Klimek. Elreen is also a great grandmother to Jared Nelson, Jack Nelson, Willow Hansen, Eton Hansen, Connor McGuire, Finn McGuire, Makayla Whiting and Logan Whiting. Elreen is survived by step-children, Gary Coates of Apple Valley, MN, Rick Coates of Cottage Grove, MN, Sandy Fuhrman and husband, Dennis, of Morris, MN and Kathy Weirens of Cottage Grove; numerous step-grandchildren; one sister Marlene Suchy and husband, Richard, of Underwood, MN; two brothers, Roger Wagner and wife, Shirley, of Brandon and Marvin Wagner and wife, Darlene of Brandon; two sisters-in-law Elsie Sorrenti of Milwaukee, WI; Adeline Koep of Vadnais Heights, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. Elreen is preceded in death by her parents, first husband Sigebert Klimek; second husband Robert Coates; two infant grandchildren, brother Dale Wagner and brothers/sisters-in-law Wilton Thompson, Nicholas Klimek, Verlee and Luella Klimek, Frank and Elizabeth Reger, Henry and Isabelle Burskin, John and Wilhemina Koep, Leonard and Irene Albright, Frank Sorrenti and Frank Koep. A Mass and Christian Burial will be held 11 AM, Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Church of St. Ann in Brandon. Reverend Father Peter Vander Weyst will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Casket bearers include all of Elreen’s grandchildren. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home.

Elreen Rosella (Klimek) Coates

June 17, 1925 - December 1, 2014