Patricia Ann (Pieper) Kline

Patricia Ann Kline, 82, Our matriarch and God-fearing Christian woman, ran toward the Light with great speed on Thursday, May 27, 2021. Pat, a nurturer, botanist, preserver of all vegetables, and cheerleader, was born on October 12, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois to Irene T (Stoltman) Pieper and Julius M. Pieper.  At the age of 9, Pat and her siblings, Thomas (Charlene) Pieper of McHenry, IL, Julius “Butch” (Carol Selby) Pieper, George (Phyllis) Pieper of Huntington, IN, Bob (Judy) Pieper of Burbank, CA, Luis “Chub” Pieper and Marlowe (Bill) Wilson of N. Fort Myers, FL, were transplanted to Indiana. True to Indiana culture, the family learned to farm, creating the Pieper work ethic and famous pickling recipe.   This time on the farm began Pat’s love for gardening, plants and flowers.

Between 1958-1962, Pat had three daughters with her first husband.  In 1963, she met the love of her life, John M. Kline, Sr, in that tiny Indiana town.  The union of Pat & John resulted in adding four more children to the family, and in 1964, the baby of the family was born to complete the Yours, Mine & Ours legacy.

Patricia had a natural love of taking care of people. Not many can remember a time she wasn't taking care of them, making food for a family in need, helping a friend paint their house before a high school graduation party, or cleaning a friends’ home before their Tupperware party. She was never without her lipstick, and if Chinese food was for dinner, you’d better order her the egg foo young.

With a full and busy household, Pat shared her cooking, canning, and organizing skills with her children and grandchildren. Her passion for flowers led to opening Pat’s Posy Pantry from a converted garage.  She immersed herself in flowers daily, and her arrangements spread joy to all her patrons. Her children remember watching her in the shop, and recall the happiness on her face as she worked. Naturally, she was the florist for Bev’s wedding, producing cherished memories while designing such beautiful pieces. Another of Pat’s passions was caring for children.  She opened her h ome to provide child care for local children. Those same children kept in touch with Pat, and many returned frequently to check in with her. Pat also volunteered with the Hospital Auxiliary and taught Sunday School for many years.

Recently, Pat found great comfort in spotting flowers as she traveled between the homes of her children.  This spring she was particularly drawn to purple Iris’ and could spot them from a hundred paces. As we ponder the death of our mother, we cannot help but see the meaning of the iris : divine truth, hope and faith- with those same qualities in her.  The strength and longevity of the iris reminds us of the legacy Patricia Ann Kline leaves within her eight children:  Terri (Ken) Hammons, John (Marion) Kline, Jana (Roger) Madison, Brenda (Al) Fejes, Dawn (Glenn) Fadden, Denise Tuszynski, Marlowe (Tom Allis) and Beverly (Steve) Wilson.  Her memory and stories will live on through her 21 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.

Pat was buried at the Riverside Cemetery, Brook, IN. The service was held and this is to commemorate the anniversary of her death. Arrangements were entrusted to Gerts, Windler & Keller Funeral Homes ~ Brook Chapel, 129 E. Main St., Brook, IN  47922.  (219) 275-6161.  www.kellerfh.com