Dennis Funeral Homes

Juanita “Nita” Klessig, age 75 of Waterville, died on Friday, October 7, 2011 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Born in Wykoff, Minnesota on March 5, 1936 she was the daughter of Ariel and Magdalene (Meyer) Baker.  She graduated from Wykoff High School in 1954 and married Curtis Ladsten May 1, 1954.  While living in Rochester she worked as a hostess at the Holiday Inn.  After moving to Mankato she worked at Carlson Craft as an engraver in the accessories department for 35 years.  She married Neil Paterson in 1981 and he later passed away.  On September 11, 2004 she married Gene Klessig.  Nita enjoyed traveling, cooking, golfing occasionally, going to the casino and family activities.

Nita is survived by her husband, Gene of Waterville; mother, Magdalene Baker of Wykoff; five children, Daniel (Dee) Ladsten of Spanaway, WA, Debra (David) Ehlenz of Buffalo, Jeff (Jackie) Ladsten of Rochester, Jolene (Ed) Greenheck of Wabasha, Sheila Sanders of North Mankato; eighteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, husband-Neil, one infant son-Michael, one brother-Ariel Jr., and mother-in-law, Nancy Klessig.

Funeral services for Nita will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Prosch-Dennis Funeral Home in Waterville.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Interment will take place at Sakatah Cemetery in Waterville.