Lori Jean Klein, 59, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, died Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, at the Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A funeral service was Monday, Sept. 19, at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. Burial followed at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Luverne.
Lori Jean Essman was born Sept. 9, 1957, to Melvin and Doris (Hegstad) Essman in Luverne. She was raised on the family home place just north of Kanaranzi and attended school in both Magnolia and Luverne. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1975. She then attended Pipestone Vocational and Technical School in Pipestone for one year before moving to Sioux Falls.
Lori worked as a secretary at Dakota Welding, which later became A-OX Welding Supply, for more than 25 years. She later worked as a clerk for various businesses including Sunshine Gas, HyVee Gas and Get-n-Go.
On June 25, 2016, Lori married Terry Klein in Sioux Falls. On Sept. 14, 2016, she suffered a heart attack and was taken to Sanford USD Medical Center where she died.
Lori was baptized at the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne. She enjoyed bowling and vegetable and flower gardening, especially roses. Lori enjoyed capturing photos at family events. She was also a very good storyteller. Lori will be remembered for being such a caring person to others.
She is survived by her husband, Terry Klein, of Sioux Falls; four children, Jessica Klein, Sioux Falls, Matthew (Amanda) Klein, Baltic, South Dakota, Brian Klein, Brookings, South Dakota, and Debra (Mike) Staples, Bloomfield, Nebraska; her mother, Doris Essman, Luverne; two siblings, David (Claudia) Essman, Madison Lake, and Deanna (Robert) Wieme, Sioux Falls; a dear friend, Mary McNamara, Sioux Falls; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Melvin Essman; a nephew, Steven Essman; and her grandparents, William and Effie Essman and Ole and Leila Hegstad.
Arrangements were by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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