Mary Jean Klapperich, 88, West Concord

Mary Jean (Johnson) Klapperich, 88, of West Concord passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Zumbrota Care Center in Zumbrota.

Mary was born on September 18, 1932 in Owatonna, the daughter of Raymond and Irene (Malek) Johnson. She graduated from Owatonna High School in 1950 and attended Minneapolis Business School. She returned to Owatonna where she worked at the Owatonna Hospital as a Medical Secretary.

While attending an Owatonna Aces baseball game Mary met the love of her life, Nicholas Klapperich. They were later married on February 15, 1958 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and lived for many years in Owatonna.

In 1973 they moved, along with their children, Robert, Kevin and Joan, to West Concord where Mary worked as the elementary school secretary and later for the Dodge County Social Services. She and Nick also worked side by side for several years running Nick’s TV and Appliance and Hometown Video. She also found time to give back to the community by being a part of the Library board, the West Concord Historical Society and fundraisers for local parks and the swimming pool.

Mary loved spending time with her family, enjoyed road trips across the country, quilting weekends with her “clique,” raising monarch butterflies, feeding the cardinals and gardening.

But most of all she was the happiest being called Nana by her grandchildren! Mary is survived by her children Robert (Donna) of West Concord, Kevin (Missy) of Zumbrota and Joan (Ryan) Ganley of Ham Lake, grandchildren Elizabeth (Seth) Johnson, Benjamin Klapperich and Erin (Ben) Schleusner, great grandchildren Zane and Granger, and siblings Anita Bruggeman of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Roger Johnson of Owatonna and Gary Johnson of Owatonna. Mary was preceded in death by her husband Nick, her parents, her sister Theresa, two grandchildren Angela and Mary and great grandchild Chasen.

Visitation was at the West Concord Funeral Home on Monday, August 2, 2021. Funeral services were held immediately following at the funeral home. A private family burial was held later in the day at the Concord Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to the West Concord Library or the Zumbrota Care Center.