Leola Patricia Kluender

WINONALeola Patricia Kluender 88 of Winona, died Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Lake Winona Manor. Leola was born January 12, 1926 in Westbrook, MN to Edmund and Mary (Jarmer) Steinhoff. She graduated from Windom High School and later attended Mankato State University. She married Daniel G. Kluender and spent nearly 25 years together before getting divorced. Leola was very proud to adopt two daughters, who were not just born, they were chosen. Leola always said, "You may not have been born from my body but from my heart." Now, Leola is God's chosen angel. In her earlier years, Leola worked as a meat cutter at Piggy Wiggly, a sales associate at Montgomery Ward, and a cook at Winona State University. Most recently, she worked as a head cook at Sauer Memorial Home for 12 years before retiring. Leola enjoyed drawing, cross-stitching, quilting, and sewing. Survivors include her daughters, Susan (Tony) Hassinger of Winona and Julie (Frank) Grulkowski of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Paul Hassinger, Nina (Scott) Maschka, Ryan Hassinger, Frank Grulkowski, Aaron (Jackie) Grulkowski, Matthew Grulkowski, and Jordyn Grulkowski; great-grandchildren, Joshua, Zaden, Dawson, Danica, and Asher; brothers, Billy Steinhoff and Verlan (Myrna) Steinhoff; sister, Vera Gernes; and many nieces and nephews. Leola was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Steven Daniel; brother-in-law, Jack Gernes, and niece, Lianne. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona with visitation one hour prior. Reverend Adam McMillan will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona. Please share a memory of Leola with her family and view her video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/506076