Obituary of Wendy L. Klenke

Wendy L. Klenke, age 66, of Osage Beach, Missouri, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach, Missouri. 

Wendy was born February 21, 1954 in Spokane, Washington to Leo and Elsie (Brynes) Klaeger.  

Wendy was married to the love of her life Dale Klenke on May 20, 1973 at Sheppard Air Force Base outside Wichita Falls, Texas.

Wendy loved education and enjoyed teaching and investing in the lives of others, spending 40 years in the field. Her career began in the Crawford County R-1 School District in Bourbon, Missouri. After retiring from public school service, she opened and operated Children’s House at the Lake, A Montessori School in Osage Beach. Not only did Wendy enjoy teaching; she also loved interior design for both her home and school. Children’s House was featured for its astonishing décor in the 2019 Lake of the Ozarks Second House Living Holiday Edition. Wendy was an incredibly talented woman, but she will be best remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. Wendy wore the title Air Force “brat” with pride. She loved the time she spent traveling with her father as he served our country.

Wendy is survived her husband Dale Klenke of the home; her son Anthony and his wife Miranda of St. Louis, Missouri; her mother Elsie Klaeger of Spokane, Washington; her sisters Jan Frick and husband Harold of Pacific, Missouri, Genie Burton and husband Jim of Chicago, Illinois, Tena Frick and husband John of Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, and Sandy Kelly and husband Mike of Seattle, Washington; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father Leo Klaeger.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 - 5:00 pm, Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Knights of Columbus in Union, Missouri.

Memorial donations may be given to the Wendy Klenke Memorial at Central Bank of Lake of the Ozarks. Donations will be forwarded to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.