Marjorie J. Klein

Marjorie J. Klein, 98, of Butler, PA, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025, at Concordia Lutheran Ministries in Cabot.
Born on February 14, 1927 at her parents’ home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Margie was a tiny baby, the second of six children born to Albert Kahn and Lenore Caldwell Kahn.  Marge spent her early years in Brentwood; then in 1942, the family moved to Saxonburg Boulevard in the North Hills.  She attended Shaler High School, and after completing commercial classes, graduated in 1944.  Because WWII was still raging and her older brother had already enlisted in the Navy, Marge considered joining the WAVES, but was passed over because of her small stature.  So, Marge went to work in clerical positions for Seyler Manufacturing Company, then at U.S. Steel in downtown Pittsburgh. After a few years of office work, at the urging of her pastor, Marge felt called to become a Lutheran school teacher.  After several months of training, she was assigned to teach 1st grade at Immanuel Lutheran School in Palatine, Illinois.  She taught a large, rambunctious class for a year before deciding to come back home. Upon returning to Pittsburgh, Marge got a job as a carhop at Delney’s Drive-In Restaurant on McKnight Road, which was owned by Jim Delligatti, creator of McDonald’s Big Mac. 
During that time, Marge was introduced to a young man named Joe Klein.  Before long, on November 8, 1956, the two were married at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Venus, PA.  Two daughters joined the family in 1958 and 1961.  In 1963, while longing to live in the country, and insisting that they be near a LCMS Church and School, the family moved to an old homestead in Clearfield Township, Butler County.   An additional daughter born in 1967 completed the family.  Over the years, Joe, Marge and the girls tended a large garden, orchard, hay fields, plus a herd of sheep, several cattle, goats, chickens, rabbits, cats, and a dog or two.  Around 1970, Marge began working at Concordia Lutheran Home as a kitchen aide, then a nurse’s aide, and later in housekeeping until her retirement from Concordia in the l980’s.  She continued to work as a personal home companion for several years afterward.
Always fit and healthy, Marge was physically active tending to her family and home, gardening, walking, exercising, and more.  In her younger years, she played mushball, basketball, softball, and tennis; she also roller-skated, danced, and swam. Marge was very interested in healthy living, supplements and nutrition long before it was fashionable, putting into practice all she learned. She loved to sing, listen to music, read, play cards, visit with friends, and watch TV, especially old movies. In her late 70’s through her 80’s, Marge enjoyed taking annual trips with her sisters living in Pittsburgh to visit her brother and sister in Florida.
Most important to Marge was her faith in God.  She was the oldest living member of her church, St. Luke Lutheran Church in Cabot. Marge began her spiritual life in baptism at Concordia Lutheran Church in Brentwood, and was confirmed there.  When her family moved to Shaler, Marge was active in Walther League, and became a member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sharpsburg where she remained until moving to Butler.  Marge attended worship every Sunday plus special weekday services, only absent due to sickness or work. She was dedicated to helping others through various ministries during her life—St. Luke Ladies’ Aid, LWML, St. Luke School PTA, and VBS; later, she headed the card ministry, mentored confirmation students, started the Sunday School baby nursery, visited shut-ins, delivered Meals on Wheels, participated in the prayer chain, and was a worship greeter.  Marge was a devoted tither; she taught her girls, “give to church first, and you’ll always have enough”. A daily prayer warrior, she kept lists of all those needing prayer. She never shied away from boldly sharing her faith in Jesus with others everywhere she went. By her words and her Christian example, Marge imparted saving faith to her children, extended family, acquaintances, and strangers.  
Surviving are three daughters: Susan Ambrose of Cabot, Sharon (Dale) Ambrose of Butler, and Beth Byers of Butler.  She also leaves five grandsons: Joseph (Carolina), Mark (Amanda), Lee (Anne), Jed (Vanessa), and Hank (Cassidy) Ambrose; nine great-grandchildren: Dylan, Alexandra, Charles, Walter, Warren, Isaac, Eli, Lydia, and Elizabeth; sister, Carol Stauffer, brother, Warren Kahn, and sister-in-law, Patricia Klein; as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, James; two sisters, Audrey and Nancy; a son-in-law, Ron Byers; and her husband of 64 years, Joseph F. Klein, III, who died July 20, 2021.
A private committal service was held at St. Luke Lutheran Cemetery in Cabot. A Celebration of Life Service is planned at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Hannahstown Road, Cabot, on January 10, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. The family looks forward to greeting everyone who knew Marge, between 10:00 and 11:15 a.m.  Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke Lutheran Church and School, Cabot, PA.
Many, many thanks to all of the staff and friends who loved and cared so well for Mother at the Lund Care Center of Concordia at Cabot over the past 11 years. Concordia has truly been a blessing for the three generations of our family who have resided there.

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