Sophie Rose Kleiman, 84, of Escanaba died peacefully on May 18, 2005 after a short battle with cancer. She was born on July 8, 1920 on the family farm in Bark River, Michigan to Felix and Antoinette Barr and was one of 14 children.
Sophie was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Ernie, and by her son, Ken of Bloomfield Hills, MI. She is survived by her five children: Charmaine Jensen (Earl) of Sun City, AZ and Green Bay, WI; John (Barbara) of Upper South Hampton, Bermuda and Sturbridge, MA; Brent (Brenda) of Sun City, AZ; Cindy Kleiman (John Decker) of Waterford, MI; and Randy (Lori) of Escanaba and daughter-in-law, Gerri Iacoboni of Bloomfield Hills, MI. Sophie is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Leslie (Brad) Cochran; Christopher Kleiman; Matthew (Karen) Kleiman; Kendra (Mike) Quinlan; Scott Crabbs; Kimberly (Eric) Lynch, Kristen Kleiman; and Lauren Kleiman; 7 step-grandchildren: Bill (Christine) Hayes; Mark (Dawn) Hayes;Tracy Jensen; Tim (Tina) Jensen; Deana Meddaugh; Angie (Tom) Keyes; Eric Gile; and 20 great grandchildren; by her sister, Jean Butryn of Escanaba; by her sister-in-law, Ellen (Ernie) Trosvig of Marquette; brothers-in-law Clarence “Hunce” (Dorothy) Kleiman; Harold “Babe” (Rita) Kleiman; Ben (Rosemary) Kleiman, and by many nieces and nephews.
As was the custom for young women of her day, Sophie Barr attended classes at a one-room schoolhouse in Bark River through 8th grade. Though her formal education ended at 13 years old, Sophie was a life-long learner, keenly interested in world events and social issues.
Sophie Barr and Ernie Kleiman courted during the era of big bands and spent every Friday and Saturday night on the dance floor. Their mutual passion for music and dance led them to marriage in 1938 and to raising their six children, proudly watching all of them graduate from college, marry, and raise families of their own.
For fifteen years, Sophie was a smiling fixture in the local grocery stores as the “demo lady” for Tony’s
Pizza, a job she truly loved and in which she took great pride.
From the birth of her first child in 1939, to her death in 2005, Sophie’s heart, soul, and complete focus were on her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She welcomed one and all into her arms and her home whether related to her by blood or by marriage. Sophie was genuinely interested in the lives of each of her 35 family and extended family members, and she could tell you all about their jobs, new babies, new addresses, promotions, retirements, and travels. When friends would ask Sophie how she could keep track of all the “comings and goings” of so many loved ones, she would respond with an answer that was quite unique yet seemed perfectly normal to Sophie: “Well, they”re my family and we talk to each other.”
Sophie showered her loved ones with precious gifts from her hands, heart, and heritage. From her kitchen, Sophie would delight her family with cabbage rolls and chicken dumpling soup, or welcome them home from school with her freshly baked bismarks, or awaken them to her special breakfast of “blisters”, those thin, bubbly crepes she cooked lovingly, one at a time on her old, blackened griddle. Her children and grandchildren who went away to college could be assured of periodically receiving a “Sophie Care Package” loaded with homemade cookies, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, and whatever else Sophie considered essential. Sophie welcomed each new baby into her family with a handmade quilt lovingly customized to baby’s gender and nursery colors. Everyone who was born or married into her family was given a personalized, handmade felt Christmas stocking stitched with hundreds of beads and sequins. For each household she made felt Christmas tree skirts and tablecloths intricately decorated with brightly beaded poinsettias. A special joy for Sophie in the last 12 years of her life was the company of her youngest granddaughter, Lauren. Together, Grandma and Lauren would bake brownies, have tea parties, manicure each other’s nails, and, as Sophie would fondly say, “Just be silly with each other.”
Sophie Kleiman spent a lifetime creating beautiful memories and heirlooms for everyone she loved. She will be deeply missed by those who enjoyed her beautiful smile, her unique wit and wisdom, and her loving ways.
Friends may call at Skradski Funeral Home of Escanaba on Thursday, May 26 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. Funeral service celebrating the life of Sophie Kleiman will follow immediately with Rev. Michael Steber and Rev. Kristen Kleiman officiating. Entombment will be in Gardens of Rest Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the family for Holy Name School’s renovation of the Multipurpose Room, and to St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Anonymous
Sophie Kleiman or as I called her for years out of total respect, Mrs. Kleiman, was a complete sweetheart. If you were friends with one of her children, Mrs. Kleiman talked to you like you one of her own. I can just vision whats going inside the pearly gates above. With the dance music playing, Mr.(Earnie)Kleiman, with that warm smile of his, is spreading the sand on the floor in preparation for the dancing to start once Sophie arrives just like he use to do in their garage when ever they had a family gathering. They’re a real classy, loving couple and it shows in their children as well! The Kleiman’s were fortunate to have such wonderful parents. Dance on Mr.& Mrs. Kleiman!
Jeff Kobasic
Escanaba, MI
Sorry to hear about Aunt Sophie. 🙁
Hope all is as well as can be expected with the family. Hi to Randy, who we saw this winter at Tundra Lodge. It had been many years since we’d visited. Take care, and our prayers are with the family.
Cindy (Kleiman) VanEffen
Green Bay, WI
You have my deepest sympathy at the passing of your dear mother. What a lovely tribute you gave her. Sophie was someone special and I will never forget her.
When our second son was born, we named him Brent and I told Sophie that he was named so because when I was younger her son, Brent, had been our paper boy. He put up with my girlfriend and me following him around his route (he was my first crush when I was in third grade!) and was such a wonderful guy that I’d carried that name with me as one I would like for a son. Being told this, Sophie just beamed (her kids were her pride and joy!). Not long afterwards, she came knocking on our 19th Street house door with a blue and white gingham blanket she’d made for our Brent. That was his favorite and he used it until it was literally in shreds. Every time I saw Sophie she’d ask how “my Brent” was and I’d ask how “her Brent” was. (My Brent recently graduated from MTU!) She was a sweetheart.
Since our move to Ohio three years ago, I have missed running into Sophie at the grocery store or seeing her outside her house to chat with her.
Heaven can only benefit from Sophie’s arrival. She was one of the most caring and kind people I have ever met — and she always wore a smile. She raised a wonderful family — you, her pride and joy. I know your hearts are heavy, and you will miss her, but I have a feeling that she will be waiting at Heaven’s Gate to welcome each one of you, when you go Home.
With Prayers
Lori (Hansen) Bolm
Miamisburg, OH
I’m a high school classmate of John, and I wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of your mother. She sounds very much like my dear mother-in-law who makes baby quilts and blankets as well; she must have been a wonderful woman. My thoughts are with your family.
Linda Henslee Bauccio
San Jose, CA
Our prayers and love to everyone. Grandma Sophie not only adopted me into her family as a step grandchild, but also welcomed my sweet baby into this world with a pink baby blanket that 15 years later is still my most cherished memory. We share in your sorrow and loss and we are so thankful for the love and the memories we have of Grandma Sophie and all of the family we have been blessed with. Her light will surely brighten heaven. We love and miss all of you! Love and Light, Deana and Angela
Deana Meddaugh
Aliso Viejo, CA