Magdalen Klenda
Magdalen A. Klenda, 88, of Pilsen, died Feb. 27, 2004, at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
Born June 19, 1915, at home in rural Marion County, she was the daughter of Anton and Sophia (Jirak) Tajchman.
She attended grade school in Pilsen and her first year of high school at Pilsen with Fr. Kapaun. She spent the final three years at Ramona Rural High School, graduating in 1932.
On June 15, 1937, she married Martin B. Klenda Sr. She was a homemaker and mother of 12 children.
A member of St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, she was very active in the altar society. While her children were young, she was active in the county home economics club and 4-H. She was well-known for being an excellent cook.
Survivors include her husband, Martin; nine sons, Dr. Martin of Beloit, Benedict and Joseph, both of Wichita, Patrick of Newton, Mark of Overland Park, Tom of Marion, David of Yarmouth, Maine, John of McPherson, and Mike of LaCrosse; three daughters, Mary Jo Dlabal of Manhattan, Sharon Hatfield of Tucson, Ariz., and Susan Ragole of Centreville, Va.; a brother, Jerome Tajchman of Shawnee; a sister, Maxine Newcomb of Honeybrook, Pa.; 29 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
The Rosary was recited Sunday evening at Holy Family Parish, Pilsen.
The funeral Mass was at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Pilsen with concelebrants Fr. Steve Gronert, Fr. Norbert Dlabal, and Fr. Paul Oborny.
Lectors for the Mass were Pam Klenda and Dr. J. Daniel Dlabal. Gift bearers were Matthew Klenda, Jessica Penland, and Nathan Hyson.
Jeff Bina and Mary Griffith were soloists. Charlene Svitak was organist.
Casket bearers were Matt Ragole, Sean Klenda, Martin B. Klenda III, J.J. Klenda, Dennis Dlabal, Justin Klenda, and Kasey Klenda.
Burial was in Pilsen church cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established with the Fr. Kapaun Memorial or the church altar society.
