Gerry Grace Klein

Gerry Grace Klein, fondly known as "Gracie", of Overland, Missouri, passed away at age 70, surrounded by her family, on January 14, 2025.

She was born on April 29, 1954, in Nixa, Missouri to Alvis and Florence York as the 11th of 13 children. From an early age, she and her siblings learned to work together on their family farm. She could peel a potato in 3 seconds flat and knew her way around the kitchen. Later in her childhood, she and her family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. In the early 1970's she met and married her first husband, Ray Wilhite, with whom she had two daughters, Ruby and Gerry Rae. During the early 1980's she moved with her family to the small village of Caledonia, Missouri. Gracie was remarried in 1987 to Joe Klein, and moved back to St. Louis, where they had their youngest daughter, Katie. In the mid 1990's, she moved to Overland, Missouri with her husband and youngest daughter, where she resided until her passing.

Gracie spent many years caring for the sick and the elderly as a certified nursing assistant. She also took great joy in caring for children, running an in-home day care off and on for several years, and became a part of many families in the process. In her last few years, she loved spending her days helping to care for her two youngest grandchildren. She loved being their "Mommaw."

Gracie loved the outdoors, spending many weekends camping and fishing. Playing bingo and going thrift store shopping were some of her favorite pastimes. There wasn't a time when she was ever speechless. She could spend hours regaling her family and friends with exciting stories from her younger years, sparing no detail. Her laugh was one of a kind and will forever echo in the hearts of those who knew her. Gracie never met a stranger and was always looking to help those in need. She was strong willed until the very end and she will be missed beyond comprehension.

Gracie is survived by her husband of 37 years, Joe Klein, her 3 daughters, Ruby Jewell, Gerry Rae (Ghaleb) Othman, and Katherine "Katie" (Michael) Hall, her 6 grandchildren, Emily and Larry Jewell, Yahya and Aziza Othman, Lewis and Hazel Hall, and close friend Jane Ahrens. As well as many other relatives and friends.

Visitation Thurs., Feb. 6, from 4-8 p.m. at Ortmann Funeral Home, 9222 Lackland Rd. Overland MO