Klein, Eleanor H.

Eleanor H. Klein, 94, formerly of Marion, died peacefully April 18, 2011, at The Methodist Home of the District of Columbia. Services were April 25 at Joseph Gawler's Sons, Inc., in Washington, D.C., with burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Eleanor was born April 24, 1916, in Bruneau, Idaho, to Harvey and Mary Lillie Hanna. A few years later, the family moved to Marion, Iowa, where she graduated from Marion High School and was a member of the Marion Christian Church. At age 16 she earned the Camp Fire Girl's highest award, Torchbearer of Nature Lore.

After earning a B.S. degree from Iowa State University in 1938, she went on to teach science and home economics at secondary schools in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nebraska. It was in Lincoln, Neb., that she met her beloved husband, Martin Manning Klein. They married July 10, 1946, and moved to Washington, D.C., soon thereafter where they opened Martin Manning Formal Wear store at 733 12th St. NW. Mrs. Klein retired in 1978 after teaching 13 years in the D.C. Public Schools.

Eleanor had a lifelong love of nature and science, music, theater, cooking, and art. She traveled in Europe and the Caribbean in the 1950s and after retiring, went on an art history tour in Greece. She loved and was loved by the children and families in her neighborhood. Eleanor loved swimming and learned to dive off a diving board when she was 42. Snickers was her favorite candy bar.

She is survived by her children, Steven M. Klein of Seattle, Wash., and Kathryn M. Klein of Washington, D.C.; and a grandson, Nicholas D. Klein of Seattle.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Martin; and three brothers, Charles G. Hanna, Willis B. Hanna and H. Edward Hanna.

Donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association National Chapter, 3701 Pender Dr., Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030 or Washington Humane Society, 7319 Georgi Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20012.