Obituary of Annette B. Klatt

Annette Klatt passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, August 14, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Annette (Niemi) Klatt was born in the small pacific coast town of Raymond, WA on May 26, 1931 to Ruth and Neal Niemi, the oldest of three girls. The family relocated to South Bend, WA and as s a young girl she worked at the local oyster cannery. At the onset of WW II, the family moved to Seattle WA, close to the seaport where her father worked as a long shoreman and her mother assembled planes at Boeing and was a nurse. When she was a young woman, Annette was swept off her feet by Edwin Klatt, a handsome Marine from Willow River, MN who was returning from the war. In 1948, she said, “I Do” and when he asked if she would move to Minnesota, and she told him that she would live with him under an oak leaf. Which is just what happened. They moved to Cambridge where they settled on a farm filled with oak trees nestled on the Rum River. On this land, they raised four children - Susan, Linda, Edwin, and Bradley. Annette’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a nurturing and wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother to her children and grandchildren. Her approach to parenting was to build a kite. First, start with building a strong framework. Add additional support and fabric. Provide solid ground as a reference point. When it’s ready, coach the kite to leave the ground, helping it to become more stable. Adjust the tail if necessary. Let out the string as it continues to soar. Reel in the line if it drifts too far off course. Finally, set it free, but always keep it in sight. Annette raised her four children using this core belief. In 1963, after all the children were in school, Annette went to work for Control Data Corporation in Cambridge. Her eye for detail allowed her to build a successful career as a Quality Control Inspector/Foreman. She enjoyed working with her friends and colleagues in the cutting edge of the early computer industry until her retirement in 1989. Annette enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and reading. She developed a ministry with her knitting, and donated hundreds of beautiful prayer shawls that provided comfort to family, friends, and strangers. She also knitted hundreds of warm caps for premature babies around the world. She once sent a package containing a hand-knit cap for every person in a remote African village where her granddaughter was serving in the Peace Corps. Although she did these things privately and expecting nothing in return, Annette was awarded volunteer excellence awards for over 2000 hours of volunteer service for hospice. Annette was a master cook, always adding her extra pinch of love. She filled her home with aromas of fresh baked bread or a delicious home cooked meal. Family and friends can fondly remember her famous buttermilk flapjacks and delicious pot roasts with all the fixins’. She would cook up whatever Ed or the boys would bring home whether it was fish, deer, ducks, squirrel, raccoon or turtle and turn them into a gourmet meal. Annette also enjoyed the monthly cousins’ get togethers and the frequent visits by her friends Gary who brought fish, and Linda with farm fresh eggs. There was always a chair at the table for a friend or stranger, and no one ever left her home hungry. Annette and Edwin also grew a thriving tree farm business, and area families will remember visiting the farm and cutting their own Christmas trees from the family grove. Often times, Annette would open her home to folks with hot chocolate, coffee cake, cookies, and sometimes a meal. This labor of love funded college savings accounts for all of their grandchildren and countless trees were given away to families in need. Annette is survived by sister Carol Carnahan, daughters Susan Willson and Linda (Don) Neal, sons Edwin (Bobbi) and Brad (Chris) Klatt, grandchildren Derek (Carol) Willson, Dayna Willson, Graham Neal, Thea (Dan) Nealschneider, Rylan Klatt, Kendal (Jim) Langer, Eli Klatt, Noah Klatt, dear friend Joan Stock, faithful dog Missy, and many other loving family and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband Edwin L. Klatt, parents Ruth and Neal Niemi, and sister Barbara Layton. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. John Ruddy, and the Allina hospice team, especially Sandy and Cindy. Their care, along with her children, allowed Annette to complete her life’s journey at home. In lieu of gift or flowers, the family requests contributions to the Senior Activity Center in Cambridge, Allina Health Hospice Foundation, or Sharing and Caring Hands.