Elma Klostreich

Elma Klostreich, 98, Bismarck, died February 1, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Bismarck, ND. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 8 at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior.

Burial will be held at a later date at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Jamestown.

Elma was born September 6, 1924, south of Lehr, ND, on the Gotthilf and Barbara (Hettich) Juengling homestead. In 1927 the family sold the farm and moved into Lehr where she was raised. The family eventually moved to Jamestown, ND, in 1939, where she graduated from high school in 1942.

Elma was married to Arthur Klostreich in 1942 in Moorhead, MN. Arthur was called up to serve his country during WWII, while Elma remained at home, serving her country by raising their two children in Jamestown.

The years following the war were happy and peaceful ones for the family. Elma enjoyed gardening, cooking and canning fruits and vegetables, doing various crafts, and fishing with her family. She was also a member at the Jamestown First Baptist Church and served the Lord through her gifts of hospitality.

A necessary move to Mandan, ND, in 1962, brought many changes to their lives.  They eventually moved to Bismarck, where she became a member at Bismarck Baptist Church and continued her love of serving.

Soon after the death of her husband in 2013, she gave up their home, and moved in with her daughter Barbara, where she lived out her final years, still loving to garden, can, and cook. 

Elma is survived by one son, Dr. David and Lois Klostreich, White Bear Lake, MN; one daughter, Dr. Barbara Oates, Bismarck, ND; two grandsons, Rev. Dr. Bradley and Paulette Klostreich, Palm City, FL, and Jason and Angela Klostreich, Madison, CT; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and one brother. Elma will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, as well as a good friend to many.

Memorials may be made to CHI Homecare and Hospice Program, 1310 E. Main Ave., Bismarck, ND 58501 or Family Caregiver Support Program, 1237 W. Divide Ave., Suite 6, Bismarck, ND 58501.