Obituary of Betty Lee Klein
Betty Lee Wiseman was born in Metropolis, Illinois on April 22, 1929. She was one of five daughters born to Ottis and Bertha (Lauderdale) Wiseman. Betty was a graduate of Massac County High School in Metropolis. On April 29, 1948, she wed Russell W. Klein. The couple were blessed with a son and a daughter. Although Betty made it her life’s work to care for her family, she enjoyed working at Smith Brothers farm stand every harvest season for twenty-five years.
When Betty’s children were young, she was active in the P.T.O. at Erie Mason Schools. She also served as Assistant Leader for her son’s Cub Scout Pack. A member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Point Place since 1963, Betty volunteered for their Feed Your Neighbor program and funeral luncheons. She enjoyed gathering with her fellow church ladies to play Left, Right, Center for nickels.
Betty was often outdoors working in her yard and tending to her vegetable garden during the summer months. An avid fan of University of Michigan sports, she cheered on the football and basketball teams every season. Betty was a “people person” and often reached out to help the elderly folks in her neighborhood, driving them to appointments and picking up their groceries.
Betty Lee Klein, age 92, of Erie, Michigan passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 27, 2021. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: Russell W. Klein; son: Russell W. Klein Jr.; son in-law: Mark Smith; and sisters: Margaret Roe, Norma Jean Krahn, Roberta Atkison, and Mildred Wolfe.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter: Diana Smith; grandchildren: Heather Barfield, Tim Smith (Karen Billmaier), Russell W. Klein III, Karen (Mark) Wojtowicz, Kristie (James) Zimmerman; Benjamin (Lori) Smith, and Rebecca Owens; twenty-five great grandchildren; and a great-great grandson.
Friends may gather on Sunday, January 2, 2022, from 1:00 – 4:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Erie; 9156 Summit Street, Erie, Michigan 48133 (734) 317-7199. A Worship Service Celebrating Betty’s Life will be held on Monday, January 3, 2022, at 11:00am at Messiah Lutheran Church, Summit Street, Toledo, Ohio 43611. A procession to Brigham Cemetery in Erie, Michigan will follow.
Online guests may leave words of comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com
