Ella Klank

Ella Klank, 89, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market St., St. Joseph with Rev. Michael Roth officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, St. Joseph.  Friends may visit with the from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Church.  Memorials in Ella’s name may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.  Those wishing to sign Ella’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Ella was born November 24, 1928 in Krywilla, Wolhynian to Reinhold & Leokadia (Schroeder) Radis.  On February 18, 1949 she married Alfred E. Klank in Germany.  The family immigrated to the United States in June of 1953, settling in St. Joseph, due to the fact that her grandfather Julius Radis had come to St. Joseph in the early 1900’s.  Ella was employed at Paramont Die Casting in Stevensville until they closed, and then gained employment at Lakeshore Studios in St. Joseph, from where she retired in 1998.  Ella was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  She was a hardworking lady, she enjoyed gardening, crocheting & reading, and cherished the time spent with her family. Ella is survived by three children-Brigitte Jakubowski of St. Joseph, Erich (Sandra) Klank of St. Joseph, Gerd (BJ Baldwin) Klank of Coloma; six grandchildren-Beth, Erich D., Kelly, Gretchen, Kristal & Stephanie; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Alfred on October 11, 1976 and her son-in-law Anthony Jakubowski on September 15, 2016, her brother Erich Radis-lost in WWII, her sister and brother-in-law Alwine (Reinhard) Itterman. The family would like to thank the staff of Royalton Manor for the excellent care provided to Ella during the time she resided there.