Joseph (Joe) Klein, 94 of Albany, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2024. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who will be dearly missed. He will be remembered most for his hard work and faith.
Joseph was born in a wheat field in Shields, North Dakota on July 14, 1929, to Rachel (Werlinger) and Andrew Klein. His mother was setting stack that day, but by the time the mid-wife arrived, it was too late. So, he was born right there in the wheat field.
As a child, they would walk to school, five miles one way, towards Shields. In the winter their feet were so cold, the teacher would remove their shoes and rub their feet. Attending a small country school, he thought it was fun being with all the kids in one room, grades 1-8. But he recalls being quite mischievous. One time the boys put a fence post under the outhouse and gave their teacher a ride. They were sent home for quite some time.
At 14 or 15, the older boys were called off to WWII, and dad was left to farm. His family bought their first tractor in Carson, a McCormick Dearing Tractor that was used. Dad farmed the 300 acres pretty much by himself. They grew barley, oats, wheat, rye grass, corn, a little bit of everything. Dad’s hardest job was “dragging†or walking behind plowed ground, daylight to dark. This went on for several years. “Well, we could see that it was going to be hard for me to get it all done, so I put lights on the tractor and in the spring, I worked like 14-16 hours a day, and it pretty much was like that all summer.â€
There wasn’t much time for school by then. He would attend about 4 months out of the year. Later they moved to Shields near the Cannonball River where the Porcupine Tribe was on one side, and their side had a house, barn, and summer kitchen. The Indians would come to the chicken coupe and steal eggs, take them around to his mother and she would cook them for them.
Since it was the depression, government assistance provided them with grapefruit, cornflakes, rice, beans, cheese, and other staples to sustain them. They had their own cows for milk and pork was their staple meat, served multiple ways. But for the most part, food was scarce and potato soup was often the meal of the day.
Later they moved to Sacramento, leaving farm life behind. Dad initially worked at a pottery company. This required handwork which he wasn’t good at, so he left, getting a job for the Railroad. He went to McClatchy High part time while working as an apprentice on the steel gang (wheels, brakes), then as a carpenter (building cars), and last as a sawyer (checking the grade of the railroad ties and painting them with tar).
Dad enlisted into the army in 1948 with the promise of being a shoemaker. So, dad got up one morning, caught a bus, and enlisted into the service asking to be a shoemaker. Instead, they put him in the medical core. During his service in Germany, one of our dads’ biggest achievements in which he was so proud of, he was an army medic for General Eisenhour during the Nuremburg trials. Later in his years, no matter where he went, he would express this achievement to anyone willing to listen. Discharged as a surgical technician in 1952 he re-entered through New Jersey. Upon docking, dad recalls they gave the GI’s a pint of milk. But on every bar and restaurant, the better places, there were signs that said, “NO Dogs Allowed, That Means You Soldier!†He never understood that treatment.
After the army, his folks moved to Mt. Angel where he went to visit, taking a taxi from Salem. As he stopped to ask where their house was, right on the corner coming into Mt. Angel were Marguerite and Rosie (Schaecher) standing by the old hotel. Unknowingly, dad stopped and asked them if they knew where his folks lived. Later dad went to a local bar where he met Marguerite in person. Dad says it was love at first sight.
He went on to marry Marguerite Schaecher on November 15, 1951. They moved to Albany, and he went to work at Edward Brothers sawmill as a resaw sawyer. Dad also went into the cattle business during that time with Adolph Klein, his younger brother. Dad left Edward Brothers and went to work at a dairy, moving to Nehalem. Unfortunately, they would open the tide gates and they ended up getting flooded out. So back to Edward Brothers he went.
Dad was an entrepreneur for his time as he and brother-in-law Artie Hassler dabbled in the carwash business in Albany, Springfield, and Oregon City. The first car wash businesses in Oregon. Although they sold them long ago, the one on Queen Street in Albany still exists. He also had a laundry mat and multiple apartment rentals. There were several moves throughout Albany, often to accommodate their expanding household. There were eleven children born to Joe and Marguerite, all of which are alive today: Terry Klein (Caroline), Connie Rodgers (Neal, deceased), Marlene Myers (Mike, deceased), Randy Klein (Cheryl), Jeff Klein (Cindy), Tammy Casper (Gary), Greg Klein (Heidi), Mary Jo Cunningham, Peter Klein, Nick Klein (Michelle), and Lori Sissel (Mark). There are 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Joe and Marguerites love story lasted 51 years until Marguerites passing on July 7, 2002. Dad often repeated that he loved all of his children.
Joseph went on to work for Wah Chang in Albany for 27 years, and at one point was the Union President for his team. During that time dad sold insurance and sold Wah Chang their first group policy. Dad retired at 65, but that didn’t stop them from asking him to come back. Each time he said no, it was time for others to have an opportunity. Upon retirement he and mom took a couple long road trips together, enjoying each other’s company.
Dad loved to bowl and met many people during this time, including Marlene Bales, his friend of many years. In retirement, dad continued to bowl and make trips to Spirit Mountain Casino, with family visiting him often. His faith in the Catholic Church was unwavering as he attended daily mass, and weekend mass each week, until his last week of life.
He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers, and four sisters, and grandchildren Jack and Olivia Klein and Henry Hansell. He is survived by his brother Adolph Klein and his lovely wife Lorraine who have maintained a close relationship over time.
There will be a recitation of the rosary at 10:30 a.m. with an 11:00 a.m. service on June 6, 2024, at St Mary’s Church at 815 Broadalbin Street SW in Albany, Oregon. A luncheon provided by St. Mary’s Bereavement Committee will proceed after. The gravesite service will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his memory to Our Lady of Perpetual Health (OLPH) of St. Mary’s Church, or in care of Fisher Funeral Home.
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