Diane Kay Kleis, age 70, of French Addition, International Falls, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Diane was born in the village of Mountain Lake, Minnesota on May 30, 1951 to Evelyn and John Heibert.
Diane lived in International Falls and was united in marriage to Michael Tony Kleis Jr. on July 13, 1967. While raising three children, Diane worked as a CNA in the nursing home, moving onto Rigjig, knowing her calling was helping the elderly, she became a home health aide while babysitting for family and friends. She later enjoyed working at Cookie’s Restaurant where she finished her working career due to COPD.
She enjoyed gardening in her rock garden, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, watching her many hummingbirds on her feeders.
Over the years, little by little she added to her rooster and chicken collection which became quite large. When dad said no more chickens or roosters, mom took up collecting beautiful blue glass which soon took over the rest of the house with all the family pictures mom loved to look at and rearrange reg ularly.
Diane is preceded in death by her husband, Michael Kleis Jr; mother, Evelyn Lavasser; and two fathers, Earl Lavasser and John Heibert; granddaughter, Jennifer L. Kleis; grandson, Tanner Mortenson; brother, Jr. “Smiley” Heibert; niece, Tammy Edberg; great-nephew, Max Marvin; mother and father-in-law, Dempsy and Michael Kleis Sr.; sister-in-law, Carol Kleis; and brother-in-law, James (Ike) Leseman.
Diane is survived by her children, Sheila (Dave) Mortenson, of International Falls, Michael (Pam) Kleis III of International Falls, and Heather (Paul) Ojala, of Hibbing, MN; four grandchildren, Todd (Bekah) Mortenson, of Prior Lake, MN, Britany (Craig) Qualey, of International Falls, Rylee Ojala, of Hibbing, MN; four great-grandchildren, Bentley Kleis, Alton and Harley Qualey of International Falls, and Bjorn Mortenson of Prior Lake, MN; one brother, Leland (Nancy) Hiebert of Kingman, AZ; sisters, Rosanne (Larry Kennedy) Leseman, of International Falls and Virginia (Jackie) Edberg of Warroad, MN; many nieces and nephews; and her dog, Molly, who has been her companion for the past three years.
The family would like to invite family and friends to a Celebration of Life on February 6, 2022 from 12:00pm-2:00pm at the Ranier Community Building in Ranier, Minnesota.
Condolences may be left on www.greenlarsen. com
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc.
