Viola Mary (Thole) Klostermann

Viola Mary Klostermann, 88, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at the Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood.  She was born on June 11, 1930, in Petersburg, the daughter of Francis “Frank” and Eleanore (Fangmann) Thole. Viola was raised in the Petersburg area and traveled by horse and buggy to attend St. Peter and Paul School.

On September 30, 1953, Viola was united in marriage to Erwin R. Klostermann in Petersburg. Seven children were born to this union. The couple purchased a farm near Manchester in the spring of 1956, owning and operating it until retiring to Manchester in the spring of 1984.

Viola was a farmer’s wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She tended the animals, had large gardens, grew lots of flowers, and baked the best angel food cakes and pies. Viola enjoyed sewing clothes, quilting, crocheting afghans and doilies, cross-stitching, painting pictures, drawing, and reading. She also liked to play cards and board games. She was grounded in her faith and devoted to the Virgin Mary. Above all else, Viola loved and cherished her family.

Survivors include her seven children, Larry Klostermann of Dubuque, Jane (Donald) Menke of New Vienna, JoAnn Klostermann of Dubuque, Loras (Janet) Klostermann of Omaha, Nebraska, Daniel (Elaine) Klostermann of Manchester, Mary Kay (Mike) Rolfes of Manchester, and Karen (Jim) Armstrong of Des Moines; 12 grandchildren, Cassandra Klostermann of Ames, Steven Klostermann of Dubuque, Kevin Klostermann of Dubuque, Brian Menke of New Vienna, Jenn (Bob) Kanne of Omaha, Nebraska, Tony Klostermann of Swisher, Beth (Clint) Dietrich of Cedar Rapids, Kathy Klostermann of Cedar Rapids, Ben Klostermann of Manchester, Megan (JJ) Pick of Omaha, Nebraska, Matthew (Katy) Rolfes of North Liberty, and Mitchell Rolfes of Earlville; eight great-grandchildren; her sister, Rita Feldmann of Edgewood; three sisters-in-law, Bernice Thole of Dyersville, Pat Klostermann of New Vienna, and Mary Klostermann of Worthington; and many nieces and nephews. 

Viola was preceded in death by her husband, Erwin Klostermann in 2018; her parents, Frank and Eleanore Thole; her parents-in-law, Alois and Clara Klostermann; a daughter-in-law, Karen Sue Klostermann; two grandchildren, Lauren J. Klostermann and Jason C. Menke; her siblings, Linus (Bernadine) Thole, Charles Thole, Alfred (Clarinda) Thole, Lawrence Thole, and Francis Thole, Alice (Elmer Ries/Richard) Olberding, Mary Ann (Fred Jos.) Wessels; and brothers-in-law, Gerald Klostermann, Roger Klostermann, Cletus Feldmann, and Floyd Feldmann.

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