Carol Nadine Klein

1935 - 2018

Carol Nadine (Houk) Klein

SEDALIA — Carol Nadine (Houk) Klein, 82, of Sedalia, died Sunday, June 17, 2018, at her home.

She was born November 16, 1935, in Sedalia, daughter of Martin and Marjorie (Garst) Houk, who preceded her in death. She is the niece of the Winsteads who started their drive-in business in Kansas City, which included Garst's Drive-in in Sedalia where she worked as a teenager.

Mrs. Klein graduated from the 8th grade at High Point School in 1949. She was a member of the Smith-Cotton Class of 1953.

On July 18, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church, she was married to Andrew M. Klein by Father Brunswick. They celebrated 64 years of marriage last year.

On April 13, 1950, she gave birth to Steven Andrew; on April 22, 1956, to Ricky Dean; on November 23, 1957, to Vicki Lynn; and on October 11, 1959, to Timothy Scott.

At the age of 30, Mrs. Klein began her college career at Central Missouri State University. She received a BS in Education in 1969, a MS in Library Science in 1972, and an Education Specialist in Learning Resources in 1983. She graduated with honors.

Her first teaching job was at Striped College School where she taught 4th grade for eight years. She transferred to the Sedalia Middle School where she was the Librarian and Learning Resources Director for twenty-two years, retiring in 2000. She loved teaching and touched the lives of many kids over the years.

She was a lifetime member of the Missouri State Teachers Association where she was a board member for six years, Central District MSTA where she was president and board member for many years, member and past president of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Omega Chapter, Missouri State Retired Teachers Association, Sedalia Retired Teachers Association where she served as treasurer for many years, and member of the Helen G. Steele Music Club where she was treasurer for two years. She was a champion for issues affecting teachers, especially teacher pay, and put a lot of time and energy in fighting for those issues.

She was involved in school activities and loved to go places. After retiring, several strokes slowed her down but did not stop her. She volunteered at Bothwell Hospital and was a member of First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Andrew, of the home; her children, Steven, Vicki and Timothy; her grandchildren, Jeremy Steven Klein, April Dian Lange and her husband Justin, Justin Klein, Amanda Knifong, Jason Scott Klein, Christopher Dean Klein, and Corey Scott Klein and Chelsea JoLynn Klein whom they adopted and raised; great-grandmother to Michael Klein, Mason Klein, Andrew Lange, Carollyn Lange, Justin Scott Lange and Harmon Jo Lynn. Also surviving are two former daughters-in-law, Diana Klein and Deborah Klein.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Ricky Dean Klein; two brothers, Frankie Lee Houk and Lanny Houk; and a nephew, Lanny Houk II.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at Heckart Funeral Home, with Jeff Page officiating.

Casket bearers will be Justin Klein, Corey Klein, Drew Lange, Michael Klein, Mason Klein, Jamie Houk, Sam Woolery.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Crossroads Hospice.