Obituaries

Mary Ruth (Landoll) Kline

October 20, 2024

Mary Ruth (Landoll) Kline

Mary Ruth (Landoll) Kline, age 97, of Norwalk, died peacefully on October 20, 2024 at her beloved home, surrounded by family. Eldest of 9 siblings, Mary was born at her family home on April 29, 1927 in Norwalk to Mary (Miller) and John Francis Landoll. Mary graduated from St. Paul High School as Salutatorian of her class of 1946 and married Robert E. Kline  August 28, 1946. Mary rarely missed a class reunion in the 78 years since high school graduation.

Mary’s many interests began early in life, centering on reading as she walked to the public library while recuperating from tuberculosis as a 10 year old. She enjoyed books of many genres, worked crossword puzzles daily, played Scrabble and Chinese Checkers with her children, kept a diary, assembled scrapbooks and jigsaw puzzles, and wrote a family newsletter. She was very articulate, using precise words to express her thoughts. Mary was interested in her family’s genealogy and organized family reunions for many years. She traveled in the USA and Europe to reconnect with relatives discovered through her genealogy work. Mary always gave people the benefit of doubt and believed in the goodness of people. Faithful to her Catholic faith and St. Paul Church, she served on St. Paul School Board, Daughters of Isabella, and the Rosary and Altar Society. She supported many missions and charitable causes to help the less fortunate have a better life. Mary enjoyed listening to and playing classical music on the piano. She loved hosting holiday meals and soup suppers with family and friends. She was Norwalk’s Bicentennial Queen in 2011.

Mary is survived by her 13 children whom she felt were her greatest achievement, her treasures, and her gifts from God: John (Joanna) Kline, Alpharetta, GA; James Kline, Corvallis, OR; Tim (Dianne) Kline, Norwalk; Christopher Kline, Marietta, GA; Paula (Chuck) Hathaway, Coshocton, OH; Claudia (Mark) Ciancarelli, Ft. Myers, FL; Marianna (Rick) Minniear, North Fairfield; Ellen (Bob) Burris, Overland Park, KS; Matthew (Gail) Kline, Warner Robbins, GA; Martin Kline, Milan, NY; Barbara (Greg) Vaith, Berlin Heights, OH; Thomas Kline (Mellanie), Huron, OH; Carolyn (Dave) Pigman, Norwalk; 23 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren; brothers, James Landoll and Fred Wagner; sisters, Lois Withrow, Dorothy Hottenroth, and Angela Cook; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, sons-in-law, Bill McGraith and Stephen Mazoh, grandson, Charles Hathaway IV and siblings, Phil Landoll, John Landoll, and Rita Hohler, and several nieces and nephews. 

Friends may call at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk, on Thursday, October 24th from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Her life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial, Friday at 10:30 A.M. at St Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. The Reverend Father Valerian Larawa will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

Mary valued her Catholic education at St. Paul Schools and had established a scholarship in her name to help current and future Flyer families who may need tuition assistance. Memorial Donations may be made to Norwalk Catholic Schools with the memo line reference, Mary Ruth Kline Scholarship. Send to FCEDO Norwalk Catholic Schools, 93 East Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N, Suite. 2, Milan, OH 44846 or Firelands Historical Society, 2 Case Street, Norwalk, OH 44857.

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Mary Ruth (Landoll) Kline

Mary Ruth (Landoll) Kline, age 97, of Norwalk, died peacefully on October 20, 2024 at her beloved home, surrounded by family. Eldest of 9 siblings, Mary was born at her family home on April 29, 1927 in Norwalk to Mary (Miller) and John Francis Landoll. Mary graduated from St. Paul High School as Salutatorian of her class of 1946 and married Robert E. Kline  August 28, 1946. Mary rarely missed a class reunion in the 78 years since high school graduation.

Mary’s many interests began early in life, centering on reading as she walked to the public library while recuperating from tuberculosis as a 10 year old. She enjoyed books of many genres, worked crossword puzzles daily, played Scrabble and Chinese Checkers with her children, kept a diary, assembled scrapbooks and jigsaw puzzles, and wrote a family newsletter. She was very articulate, using precise words to express her thoughts. Mary was interested in her family’s genealogy and organized family reunions for many years. She traveled in the USA and Europe to reconnect with relatives discovered through her genealogy work. Mary always gave people the benefit of doubt and believed in the goodness of people. Faithful to her Catholic faith and St. Paul Church, she served on St. Paul School Board, Daughters of Isabella, and the Rosary and Altar Society. She supported many missions and charitable causes to help the less fortunate have a better life. Mary enjoyed listening to and playing classical music on the piano. She loved hosting holiday meals and soup suppers with family and friends. She was Norwalk’s Bicentennial Queen in 2011.

Mary is survived by her 13 children whom she felt were her greatest achievement, her treasures, and her gifts from God: John (Joanna) Kline, Alpharetta, GA; James Kline, Corvallis, OR; Tim (Dianne) Kline, Norwalk; Christopher Kline, Marietta, GA; Paula (Chuck) Hathaway, Coshocton, OH; Claudia (Mark) Ciancarelli, Ft. Myers, FL; Marianna (Rick) Minniear, North Fairfield; Ellen (Bob) Burris, Overland Park, KS; Matthew (Gail) Kline, Warner Robbins, GA; Martin Kline, Milan, NY; Barbara (Greg) Vaith, Berlin Heights, OH; Thomas Kline (Mellanie), Huron, OH; Carolyn (Dave) Pigman, Norwalk; 23 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren; brothers, James Landoll and Fred Wagner; sisters, Lois Withrow, Dorothy Hottenroth, and Angela Cook; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, sons-in-law, Bill McGraith and Stephen Mazoh, grandson, Charles Hathaway IV and siblings, Phil Landoll, John Landoll, and Rita Hohler, and several nieces and nephews. 

Friends may call at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk, on Thursday, October 24th from 3:00 to 6:00 P.M. Her life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial, Friday at 10:30 A.M. at St Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. The Reverend Father Valerian Larawa will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

Mary valued her Catholic education at St. Paul Schools and had established a scholarship in her name to help current and future Flyer families who may need tuition assistance. Memorial Donations may be made to Norwalk Catholic Schools with the memo line reference, Mary Ruth Kline Scholarship. Send to FCEDO Norwalk Catholic Schools, 93 East Main Street, Norwalk, OH 44857 or Southern Care Hospice, 9501 US Hwy 250 N, Suite. 2, Milan, OH 44846 or Firelands Historical Society, 2 Case Street, Norwalk, OH 44857.

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Online Condolences

Beth Baltes Hanson

October 24, 2024

Mrs. Kline was a mover and a shaker! It just amazed me what she could do, from sewing and cooking to playing piano and serving on church committees. Her sense of humor drew people to her, and her smiling face was how they remembered her. Godspeed Mrs. Kline

Mary Ann Schafer

Sandusky, OH
October 24, 2024

Paula, condolences to you and your family on the loss of your mother. I know she loved to celebrate the holidays...I was always fascinated that she put up more than one Christmas tree.

Pat and Millie Pigman

Venice, FL, United States
October 22, 2024

Pat and I send our sincere condolences to all of Mary's family and regrets that we cannot pay our respects in person. She was a lovely person, and we will miss her.

Mary Thornton

Toledo, OH, United States
October 22, 2024

Thankful to have known such a strong, smart, exemplary woman via my decades long friendship with her daughter, Barbara. Always a gracious hostess and delightful company, I am among many that will most certainly miss her dearly.

John E. Schumm

Norwalk, OH, United States
October 22, 2024

Dear family: Please accept my deepest sympathy. I was blessed to know your mother is so many ways: SPH Alumni Association, choir, school. board, Historical and Genealogical Associations and family gatherings. What a brilliant woman!
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
John Schumm

Velvet Adkins

Bellevue, OH
October 21, 2024

Sorry for your loss, prayers for comfort & peace. God bless
Charles & Velvet Adkins

Jim and Sandy Blum Family

October 21, 2024

Sorry for your loss. Prayers.

Randy, Andrea, Ian and Analiese King

Norwalk, OH, USA
October 21, 2024

Carolyn and family,
Love to you all

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