GYLIA “GAYE” KLYVE
GYLIA “GAYE” KLYVE
DECEMBER 16, 1923 – DECEMBER 20, 2017
FUNERAL NOTICE and OBITUARY
Gylia “Gaye” Klyve, 94, of Benson, Minn., died Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at White Pines Assisted Living Facility in Mendota Heights, Minn. Visitation will be from 5–7 p.m., Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. Visitation will continue from 10–11 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 11 a.m., Thursday, January 4, 2018, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Swift Falls. Interment will be in Rolling Forks Cemetery in Pope County. Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home.
Gylia (Gaye) Othelia Tharaldson Klyve was born December 16, 1923 in Germantown, MN to Gilma and Olaf Tharaldson. She attained the age of 94 years and 4 days. She grew up on a farm near Starbuck, MN and graduated from Starbuck High School and Glenwood Teachers Training Department. Later she went back to college and graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in Elementary Education.
On June 23, 1946, Gaye married Harry Klyve at the East Zion Church. Their marriage was blessed with two children. They lived in Glenwood, MN for a few years and then moved to a farm in Pope County. In 1952 they moved to Seattle, WA where Harry worked at Boeing Aircraft. In 1955 they returned to farming in Minnesota and moved to the farm they lived on until 1991 when they built a house and moved to Benson. They continued to work on the farm and enjoy both places.
Gaye loved children and was a dedicated teacher. She taught for 40 years full time and taught 2nd grade the last 23 years in Benson Southside Elementary School. She began her career teaching country school at age 16 and taught in several country schools in both Pope and Swift County for grades 1st through 8th grade. She retired in May, 1992 but continued to substitute teach for another 10 years. She loved teaching children and her goal was always to make a difference in their lives as well as educate them. She was a very beloved and favorite teacher throughout her career.
Gaye enjoyed gardening, baking, traveling with Harry, visiting with family and friends and was active in church, school and community affairs. She was a member of the Shepherd of the Hills Church, taught Sunday School, was an active member of the ladies church circle group, bible study group and helped start the church library. She served on the Rural School Board and served a term as President of the Swift County Teachers Association. She was a member of the ELCA, Sons of Norway and Purple Heart Auxiliary. After retirement she belonged to the Red Hat Club and the West Side Retired Teachers group and enjoyed being part of that group of friends. She was a devoted mother and grandmother/great grandmother and treasured her time with her kids/grandkids. But most all she loved being with Harry. They were married 71 years and very seldom were apart for any period of time. Their love and devotion to each other was an inspiration to their family. Harry passed away on November 4, 2017 and Gaye followed him on December 20. They are together again.
Gaye is survived by her children, daughter, Vicki (Les) Kapaun, Mendota Heights, MN, son Dean (Edie) Klyve, Belle Fourche, SD; 7 grandchildren, John (Amy) Townsend, Nathan Abdallah, Elena Abdallah , Emily Kapaun, Karla Kapaun, Laura (Al) DeBeers; 8 great grandchildren; sister Joyce Nornes; sister in law Elaine Tharaldson; sister in law Ester Tharaldson; brother in law Melvin Klyve (Marlys); great nephew John Klyve; great niece Kristen Fennell; and many nieces and nephews as well as numerous extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Klyve, parents, Gilma and Olaf Tharaldson, sister, Sylvia Vindedahl, brothers Gerhard, Odean, and Dennis Tharaldson.
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