A family visitation celebrating the life of Mrs. Jean Ellen “Klenk” Haas, 88, of Enid will be held Saturday December 19, 2015 from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. in Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held in late Spring 2016 on the East Coast. Complete Cremation Care and service are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
Jean was born to Charles and Margaret Klenk on January 16, 1927 in Clementon, New Jersey. With family at her side, Jean peacefully transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday December 15,2015. Jean's father was an auditor for Railway Express so in her early years the family moved frequently to areas that included Chattanooga, TN, Hatfield, PA, and Buffalo, NY. She graduated valedictorian of her high school class in Mt Vernon, NY. She was awarded a full ride scholarship to Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY but never attended, choosing instead to marry the love of her life, Rudy Haas. After writing letters back and forth during World War II, Rudy and Jean married on September 8, 1945. Shortly after marrying they moved to Minnesota where they were missionaries and also raised turkeys and sheep. All six of their children were born in Minnesota. In 1956 the family moved to Pennsylvania where Jean was a homemaker. After their children were mostly grown, Rudy and Jean moved back to Minnesota where they farmed. In 1990, after a long visit in Oklahoma, they decided to make Enid their home. Wherever they lived, Jean stayed actively involved in their church. She was an avid gardener and spent many hours canning and freezing vegetables for her family. She loved sewing and embroidering. Many of her grandchildren have received quilts that she made for them. She also helped Rudy with his many woodworking projects.
Jean is survived by her brother Warren Klenk and wife Joanne; her sister Sharon Kendrick and husband William; five of their six children: Elaine Kramer, Janet Gomez, Barbara Whinery and husband Bret, Kenneth Haas and wife Karen, and Clyde Haas and wife Pat; 19 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her husband Rudy, 68 years, her parents, two brothers Charles and John, her daughter Peg, one grandson Jason, and one great grandson Anthony. . "Two little lines I heard one day, traveling along life's busy way; bringing conviction to my heart and from my mind would not depart; Only one life ‘twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last." (A favorite poem excerpt of Jean's by C. T. Studd) In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the 4RKids Foundation with Brown-Cummings serving as custodian of the funds. Condolences may be made to the family online at Brown-Cummings.com.
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