Rita Ann Klem

Mrs. Rita Ann Klem, age 81, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at the Nazareth Home in Louisville, KY. Mrs. Klem was born June 7, 1937 in St. Meinrad, Indiana, the first daughter of Isidore and Anna Muth Welp and the oldest of seven children.

Rita came to Louisville in 1955, after graduating from Ferdinand High School. She started work as a housekeeper for friends of the family while attending Ahrens Trade School to learn some office skills. She later worked as a secretary for Aetna in the Starks Building in downtown Louisville. Rita married Alfred Henry Klem of Louisville in 1956. She raised two daughters and worked part time in their business, Klem Roofing Company until they retired in 2000. After selling their home in Louisville, they took up permanent residence in Doe Valley, where they enjoyed many years of gardening, fishing, boating and card playing. They especially enjoyed their time with their closest friends in “the Dirty Dozen.”

Rita loved to decorate for all the holidays and seasons. People would drive from surrounding areas, excited to see what “she had up” in the bay windows in Louisville or in the yard and porch at Doe Valley in Brandenburg.

Rita was preceded in death by both her parents and her husband, Alfred Klem.

She is survived by her two daughters, Vicky Pulliam (Mark) and Carla Lewis (Danny) and two grandchildren, Charles Pulliam (Minh) and Stephen Pulliam. She is also survived by her six brothers, Dennis Welp (Patty), Evansville, IN, Arthur Welp (Connie), David Welp (Faye), both of Jasper, IN, Ralph Welp (Pat), Louisville, KY, Leon Welp (Jean), Bloomington, IN, and Allen Welp, Ferdinand, IN, as well as their many children and grandchildren.

At her request, after cremation, A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Brandenburg, KY, on Tuesday, October 30, 2018, at 11:00 AM, with burial to follow in St. George Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of mass on Tuesday. Rita and her family request any expressions of sympathy go to Mass of the Air, 508 Breckenridge Lane, Louisville, KY 40207; or to Hosparus Health of Louisville, 3532 Ephraim-McDowell Drive, Louisville, KY 40205.

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