Bonnie Klein

Yvonne “Bonnie” Philomena Klein was born to Loretta (Woerdehoff) and William Koster on August 2, 1938, in Breda, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Breda. As a young girl, she attended grade school in Breda until she moved to Dolliver, Iowa, at the age of 10, where she graduated from Dolliver High School. While in high school, Bonnie enjoyed playing basketball and was said to be quite good at it besides accidentally scoring a couple points as a guard for the other team in her early days of 6 on 6.

Bonnie found the love of her life at the “Scratch pen” at the Chicken Hut in Harlan where she met Sylvan John Klein. The two were united in marriage on January 26, 1963, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan. To this union, two children were born: Cheryl and Bob. The family made their home Southeast of Harlan, where Bonnie spent many years as a very ambitious farm wife. She assisted Sylvan with all aspects of raising livestock and crop farming, even while working outside the home.

Bonnie was a hardworking and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed spoiling all her grandchildren and great grandchildren any time she could. She enjoyed growing and canning vegetables and fruits and making the most of what she had. She was known for her resourcefulness and ability to reuse and repurpose items. Bonnie was also an excellent cook who took pride in preparing meals for her family. She especially loved sweets; eating, baking, and sharing them, that is a trend it seems many of the Koster family share.

Throughout her life, Bonnie was involved in her community and church. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Armstrong while growing up and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan after graduating High School. She also worked outside the home in various roles, including preparing surgery rooms at Myrtue Medical Center before having children, then at Larsen’s shoes (later the Shoe Box), and Westridge Elementary School as the Head cook. She volunteered as a 4-H leader, teaching catechism, working and donating at blood mobiles, serving as an election official, working on the board for the Corley Community Club and preparing lunches for many funerals for families at St Micheals as her mother had done previously.

Bonnie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa attaining the age of 88 years, 1 month and 13 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Loretta Koster; husband of 60 years, Sylvan Klein; siblings, Madonna Goraczkowski, Robert Koster, and Joyce Thraen.

Left to cherish in her memory are her children, Cheryl (Rick) Andersen of Harlan; Bob (Julie) Klein of Harlan; grandchildren, Ross (Katie) Andersen of Harlan; Nate (Ilce) Andersen of Richmond, GA; Cali (Travis) Klein of Earling, IA; Nic (Becky) Klein of West Des Moines, IA; Haley (Garret) Gilland of Arcadia, IA; 11 great grandchildren; siblings, Betty Leuck of Harlan, IA, Kenneth (Judy) Koster of Reddington Beach, FL, Dean (Kathy) Koster of Harlan, IA; other relatives and many friends.