Jo Ann Kleitz.........Age 75

VISITATION: 6-8 PM FRIDAY, JULY 24, 2015 ~ EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME

SERVICE: 10 AM SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2015 ~ GREEN VALLEY CHURCH, OSAWATOMIE, KANSAS

BURIAL: RUHAMAH CEMETERY, RANTOUL, KANSAS

MEMORIALS: PARKINSON'S OR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION

Memorials may be sent in care of:
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
P.O. Box 430
Osawatomie, KS 66064

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Jo Ann Kleitz age 75, surrounded by her loving family, went to see the Lord on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at her home in Rantoul, Kansas.

Jo Ann was born on August 18, 1939 in Paola, Kansas. She was the youngest of three children born to Howard and Elva (Strikenfinger) Saxton. She grew up in Paola and attended the Paola school system.
She married and became the mother of four children: Carol, Clifford, Carl and Cindy. Her marriage ended in divorce a few years later.

Jo Ann was employed at the Paola Hospital for several years working in the nursery caring for the newborn babies. She later was employed at the Osawatomie State Hospital as a nurses’ aide and later was promoted to Supervisor of Volunteer Services. Jo Ann retired in 1995 after thirty years of service at the hospital.

She was out with her best friend Jeanette, when she met Larrie Lynn Kleitz. The couple soon knew they were meant to be together and in March of 1991, Jo Ann and Larrie married at the Green Valley Baptist Church in rural Osawatomie. They made their home in Rantoul and the two families soon became one large loving family.

Jo Ann has been described as the “best mother”, grandmother and friend. One who always took care of her loved ones and thought of herself last. She was a lover of cats and always had a dozen or more living outside her home as well as three favorites inside; Sassy, Tillie and Sugar. She was a fabulous cook, who never used a recipe, but could produce the most wonderful pies, pastries and her famous hot rolls were always a hit at holidays and special occasions. She loved to sew, crochet, embroidery, knit and was an expert quilter, making quilts for all the grandchildren. She was a collector of anything “Strawberry”, dishes, canisters, wall hangings, etc. for her kitchen and had a large collection of bells. She was a gifted artist and created many paintings on canvas, saw blades and many other unusual items that she would display for sale at different craft sales. She had an addiction to ice cream and there was not one flavor she did not like, however Pecan Crunch was her favorite. Whenever she and Larrie would travel (which they did extensively across the country) she always had to stop at Braum’s in Texas for it was her most special place to have ice cream.

She was a faithful member of the Green Valley Baptist Church for over twenty-four years.

Jo Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Cindy Clinton in 1977, grandson AJ Hines in 2005 and step grandson Adam Kleitz in 2011, older brother Howard Saxton Jr and sister Mary Lee Hoffman.

She is survived by her husband of twenty-four years Larrie of the home, and three children: Carol Ann Hines of Louisburg, KS, Clifford (Julie Conner) Clinton of Fontana, KS and Carl (Linda) Clinton of Paola, KS. Three step children: Zealia (Mark) Reeder of Katy, TX, Darren (Rene) Kleitz of Rantoul, KS and Shane (Trudy) Kleitz of Wellsville, KS seven grandchildren: Matt Hines, Derek Clinton, Dustin Clinton, Kortney Gibson, Jessie Clinton, Leslie Clinton and Austin Clinton, nine step grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and three step great grandchildren and best friend Jeanette Norton of Paola, KS, along with many other family and friends.