Elsie Pauline Klinger, age 95, formerly of Waseca, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005 at the New Richland Care Center.

Born in Otisco Township, Waseca County, on May 11, 1909, she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bauman) Kroeger. She was baptized on June 18, 1909, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland by Rev. E.C. Schultz and confirmed on May 4, 1924, by Rev. John Herbst, also at St. Peter’s Lutheran. She attended Waseca County School District 21 and graduated from New Richland High School in 1926. She married Lorenz W. Klinger on Dec. 13, 1931, at her parents farm in Otisco Township, Waseca County. Lorenz and Elsie farmed for many years northwest of New Richland and she was also employed at Birdseye in Waseca for 21 years. She enjoyed helping her neighbors and friends with their painting and wall papering.

Following her husband’s death, she bought a home in Waseca where she joined St. John Lutheran Church and was active in the quilters, altar guild, ELCA and Bible Study. She was also an active member of the Waseca Area Senior Citizens.

As her health failed, she moved to live with her son in Ellendale before entering the New Richland Care Center in November 2004. Elsie returned to her home church of St. Peter’s Lutheran in New Richland.

She is survived by one daughter, Helen Baker and her husband Loren of Hartland;

one son, Earl Klinger and his wife Janis of Ellendale; five granddaughters: Barbara Klinger of Owatonna, Cynthia Olson of Albert Lea, Mary and Bill Bartholmey of Albert Lea, Diane Underwood of Casa Grande, Ariz., and Laura and George Fix of Columbia Heights; and four great-grandchildren: Jennifer Bartholmey, Gena Olson, and Aaron Bartholmey, all of Albert Lea, and Brian Olson of Northfield. She is also survived by four sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law. and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers, and two sisters.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. until the time of services at St. Peter’s

Lutheran Church in New Richland.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland with the Rev. Philip A. Lewison officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in New Richland.