Carmen Klatt

CARMEN LEE KLATT, age 79, of rural Blue Earth, died Wednesday, December 18, 2013, at her home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2013, at 11:00 AM, at St. John''s Lutheran Church, rural Elmore, with Rev. Dale Kohrs officiating. Burial will be at St. John''s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Elmore. Visitation time will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, at Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th Street, in Blue Earth, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com Carmen was born May 15, 1934, in Elmore, the daughter of John H. and Wilma (Smith) Clark. She was raised in the Huntley area and later in Elmore where she was a 1952 graduate of Elmore High School. She attended Mankato Business College and later earned her bachelor''s degree in elementary education from Mankato State University. Carmen married Virgil Klatt on September 25, 1954 in Elmore. The couple lived on the Klatt family farm near Elmore, Carmen for over 56 years. Carmen was a homemaker and a regular substitute teacher in the Elmore and Blue Earth elementary schools. She also enjoyed volunteering to teach Masterpiece art. She was a very active longtime member of St. John''s Lutheran Church in rural Elmore where she was choir director for 46years and sang in the Advent Candlelight service for 58 straight years. She held many offices in the church and was part of the Ladies Aid and taught Bible School and Sunday School. She was active in the Lutheran Women''s Missionary League (LWML), where she held local and state offices including: Zone Treasurer, MN South District Financial Secretary, Nominating Committee, Teller Chairman and director of the MN South District Choir. She was also the Music Coordinator for the International LWML Conference in St. Paul, MN, in 1999. She was a 45 year member and current chairperson of the Faribault Co. Extension Committee, a member of the Human Services Board, was a judge at the local and regional Science Fairs for many years and directed the 125th Elmore Anniversary Choir. She also performed with the Blue Earth Community Choir and in many community theater productions. Carmen is survived by her son, Rev. Michael (Holly) Klatt of Columbus, Nebraska, her son, David (Shari) Klatt of Albert Lea, her daughter, Sheryl (Joel) Eckhardt of Blue Earth, her brother, Dean Clark of Owatonna, her sister, Doris Mikkelson of Blue Earth and nine grandchildren: Nathan, Caleb, Colin, Rachel Klatt, Travis (Ly-fiance), Nichelle, Aaron Klatt, and Amanda (Cody) Hyland and Daniel Eckhardt and many nieces & nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Virgil, in 2002, brother, Melvin (Bud) Clark, sister, Lucille Brekhus, 3 sister-in-laws, and 3 brother-in-laws. We thank God for Carmen and rejoice in the truth that she is celebrating Christmas with her Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven.