Cleo Estelle Anderson, age 95, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2009 at the Clayton House in Sedro-Woolley, WA.
She was born on May 26, 1913, the daughter of Zora E. & Lillie Belle Fite Howerton in Novelty, Missouri, and there she was raised and attended school, graduating from Novelty High School with the class of 1931. She then attended teachers college for two years, later teaching first thru eighth grade at a one room schoolhouse in Missouri.
After waiting for two years for the man she loved to complete his education, and literally snatching him from the school steps, she was united in marriage to Harold ‘Curley’ Kleinkopf on May 13, 1933 in Macon, Missouri. They made their home in Twin Falls and Ketchum, Idaho where they owned and operated a restaurant and where they also met several movie stars, including Bing Crosby and Clark Gable. They later moved to Anchorage, Alaska where Cleo worked for the GE Corporation in a top security position, and later worked as a post mistress for the Alaska Pipeline. They returned to Twin Falls, Idaho in 1960 where they again operated a restaurant and in 1979 they moved to Sedro-Woolley. Curley passed away in 1982. In 1988 Cleo married a sweet soul, the second love of her life, Niilo ‘Andy’ Anderson, and he too preceded her in death in 2006.
Cleo was a top notch bowler, and her bowling team won the National Championship in Kansas City, Missouri in 1947. She also enjoyed fishing and inevitably always caught the first, the biggest and the most fish. She also enjoyed singing and dancing and while in high school and college was involved in many plays. Her favorite outdoor activity was working with her flowers. She has been a member of the Church of Christ since 1980. Cleo’s life was a long, happy journey faithfully served as a loving wife, wonderful mother and an awesome Grandma. We, her family, although we miss her desperately are thankful she is finally at peace with God, her creator.
Cleo is survived by her daughter, Joyce Aungst and her husband, Larry of Sedro-Woolley and her son, Dick Kleinkopf and his wife, Cinda of Wenatchee. The light of her life were her 6 grandchildren, Janell Aungst, Brian Aungst Beth, Carter Aungst Jeanne, Mark & John Kleinkopf and Kara MacDonald Jason and 5 great-grandchildren, Alicia Blundred Dan Jade, Drew, Leighton & Lane Aungst and 3 great-great-grandchildren, Kyler Blundred, Katie MacDonald, and Kinsey MacDonald and two step-sons, Dick Anderson of Mount Vernon, Terry Anderson of Lawrenceberg, KY and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides her husbands, Curley & Niilo she was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ronald Kleinkopf; 2 sisters, and 1 brother.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cleo’s step-son, Dick Anderson for his faithful and loving care of Cleo even after his father’s passing. Also, the family would like to express their appreciation for the wonderful care given to Cleo by Dr. Dale Abbott and his staff, Country Meadows, Clayton House and the care givers that adored her, Skagit Hospice and nieces, Linda and Betty that loved her through letters.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 11:00 AM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Elder Jim Watson of the Mount Vernon church of Christ officiating. Inurnment will be at Sunset Memorial Park in Twin Falls, Idaho at a later date in the spring. Memorials are suggested to the Mount Vernon church of Christ Missionary Fund 901 S. 12th Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or Skagit Hospice