Jean J. Klippstein, 93
Jean Jenell Klippstein was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 13, 1930, to John Daniel Wisehaupt and Elda Emma (nee Rothenpieler). She was raised with her two younger sisters, Gwen and Lela, (the three sisters were very close and remained "best friends" their whole lives) during the Great Depression. Jean always said she never felt deprived since they had chickens, rabbits, a large garden and many fruit trees. They shared and traded their "bounty" with their neighbors. Chicken and eggs for frog legs, cow tongue and tripe, vegetables and fruits for different types. Jean graduated from high school and community college in Los Angeles and worked in various clerical positions.
Jean met her first husband, Robert Gillum, at a roller skating rink. They married and together they had eight children; Robert, Ronald, Thomas, Donna, Karen, Kimberly, Teri and lost a child at birth. For 20 years, Jean worked at home raising her family. Jean loved to hike and reached the peak of Mount Whitney in her 40s, was the very first Versa Teller Lady (the Original ATM) at the Bank of America in the 1980s and was the original "Coupon Queen" long before it was popular or trendy; regularly getting hundreds of dollars of groceries to feed her family for just a few dollars. But when asked about her greatest accomplishment, she always answered, “Having and raising my children." After her divorce, Jean raised her children alone.
Jean met the love of her life, Robert Klippstein, in Paramount, Calif. Bob and Jean retired to Clear Lake, S.D., where Jean and Bob enjoyed gardening and cooking together, and Jean read many good books, while Bob fished and duck hunted.
After Bob’s passing, Jean moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to be closer to family. In the ensuing years, Jean enjoyed visits with family, trips to the casino and lots and lots of dining out! Jean could always be found in front of her TV on Wednesday nights watching "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race."
Hers was a life not untouched by tragedy and sorrows, but the eternal optimist was Mom, always looking on the "bright side" through her "rose-colored glasses." Her lifelong faith in God kept her strong through it all. Thank you, Mom, for instilling that faith and strength in us, too.
Jean was welcomed with open arms by her loved ones who passed before her including her mother and father, her sisters, her baby boy, her son, Ronald, and Robert Klippstein, who made her the happiest she had ever been. She is survived by six of her children, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Arbor Day Foundation to replace some of the hundreds of trees that gave their lives to support Jean’s prolific letter-writing over the years; letters filled with the details of her days; meals out (including costs and tips!), weekly weather reports, play-by-plays of "Hot Dog Days" in Clear Lake, and much more. Each letter was lovingly handwritten or typed on her typewriter, numbered and dated, to all of her children, grandchildren, friends and extended family.
Services will be held March 18 at 2 p.m., at English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with burial in Goodwin, S.D. Jean will be buried with Bob Klippstein in Goodwin Cemetery on March 23, 2024.
Visit Jean's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.
Klippstein