Jane D. (Slinkard) Klaus

Jane D. Klaus, affectionately remembered as “Grandma Jane”, 93, of Jackson, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

Born September 30, 1931, in Allenville, Missouri, to David Guy and Ollie McClain Slinkard, Jane was the youngest of ten children.  She attended Delta High School.

Jane and Willard L. Klaus were married August 27, 1948, in Piggott, Arkansas.  Jane worked at Florsheim Shoe Factory in Cape Girardeau, and then the family resided four years in Waterloo, Iowa.  Upon returning to Jackson, Jane resumed her job at the shoe factory, retiring in 1995.  She and Willard had been married 60 years when he passed away November 12, 2008.

Jane was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson and participated in the Ladies Bible Study.

When Willard resided at Heartland Care Nursing Facility, Jane did volunteer work there.  Her other volunteer work included the Jackson Senior Center, where she enjoyed Bingo and card games, and Project Charlie at the Jackson R-2 Elementary Schools.

Loving survivors include five daughters: Sandy (Gale) Crites of Jackson; Donna (Mike) Bloes of Dittmer, Missouri; Carla (Bob) Blattel of Delta, Missouri; Terri Jones (Jack Tidwell) of Cape Girardeau; and Bonnie (Patrick) Feeney of Jackson; 11 grandchildren:  Jeff Crites; Andrea (Corey) Nenninger; Brad Bloes and fiancé Teresa Robertaccio; Matt Bloes; Sara (Eddie) Green; Seth (Ashley) Blattel; Chris (Megan) Blattel; Dylan (Bri) Jones; April Jones; Derek (Rebekah) Feeney; Brittany (James) Hammack; 15 great-grandchildren:  Chloe Nenninger; Carlie Jane, Trey, and Elena Green; Emily Griffet; Charlotte Feeney (Evelynn Jo Feeney expected April, 2025); Avaleigh and Crimson Hammack (Jolee expected March, 2025); Larry Lockmiller IV; Dominick Clover;  Noah Collier; Hunter and Samantha Blattel; several nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Brenda Wolfenkoehler, Brenda Pender and daughter Lori,  and Katie Green.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and seven adult siblings:  Gladys (George) Bond; Bette (John) Crites; Patsy (Pete) Statler; Melvin (Juanita) Slinkard; Weldon (Millie) Slinkard; Novella Borneman (Harvey) Howell; Norman Slinkard; and two infant siblings, Gilbert and Seldon Slinkard.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, December 27, 2024, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The Rev. Joshua Schmidt will conduct the funeral service at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 28, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery.

If considering a memorial, the family suggests St. Paul Lutheran Church or School, or Jackson Senior Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above this article.