Gudrun Ingeborg Marianne Klenz
Born April 24, 1926, in Rendsburg, GermanyPassed October 5, 2024 in Rockledge, Florida
Our sweet Oma died on October 5, 2024 at 98 years young. We were so blessed to have had her in our lives for so many years. Gudrun Ingeborg Marianne Klenz (Gudi) lived a remarkable life. Born on April 24, 1926 in Rendsburg, Germany, she was the youngest of 6 children. She had an idyllic childhood with her family. Her parents owned a seafood restaurant in Rendsburg where she lived as a small child; her family later moved to Lubeck where she spent her school years. Later in Gudi’s childhood her parents fell on hard times. Her grandchildren remember the story she often told of how the whole family had to share 1 hard-boiled egg, each sibling getting one slice of the egg. Gudi’s older siblings grew up and started their own families, leaving Gudi to work and help support her parents. She did so for years without resentment.
During these times Gudi also discovered a love for rowing and joined the local rowing club. She was the anchor (most important position) in the 4-person and the 8-person boats. She excelled at rowing and won 2 silver medals in European Olympics. The rowing club was where she met the love of her life, Joachim Bernhardt Klenz (Jay). They were great friends for years before realizing they were meant for each other. As Gudi told it, “One day Jay turned to me and said “Eldie (his nickname for her because she was a cougar) – I think we should be together”. This was the start of a beautiful love story and grand adventures in Gudi’s life.
After being married for a short time Jay received a job assignment with the Possehl Steel company in America. The two of them moved to Manhattan in 1956 and had some glamorous years living in mid-town. If you are ever in Grand Central Station, be sure to go to The Oyster Bar and toast Gudi – Gudi and Jay would go there frequently to enjoy oysters and martinis. After living in Manhattan, they moved to an apartment in Riverdale where they met many of their lifelong friends. They also enjoyed many wonderful vacations including one to Miami where they met another German couple from New York. A lifelong friendship was born. Before long they decided they were going to continue their American Dream and built a house in Irvington, NY which became a loving home complete with a very chilly pool. They expanded their family with the arrival of Michael Gustav Klenz. They had wonderful family years spending time with neighbors in 1960s suburban paradise.
Tragedy then struck when Jay suddenly and unexpectedly died, leaving a family consisting of mother and son. Understandably, this was a very difficult time in Gudi’s life. At this juncture she made the decision to continue with the American Dream and raise Michael in the United States instead of returning to Germany. At this point Gudi needed to do something to make a living and went back to school for accounting. She worked at various jobs before settling at a job for Schott Zwiesel Crystal Company where spent many years in the accounting department. She obtained this job thanks to her new neighbors who also became lifelong friends. It was during this time she discovered a love for skiing. Her and Michael would go on many fun ski trips with neighbors and friends. Gudi had many wonderful friends who became her family as she continued to raise Michael in New York.
After retiring Gudi stayed very active, joining the “Over the Hill Gang”, a travel group for seniors. She would go on many ski trips and vacations with this group, including one to Australia where she climbed the Syndey Harbour Bridge. When her grandchildren were born, she decided it was time to sell her beloved home in New York and move to Florida to be close to her family. She spent her later years with her family, watching her grandchildren grow, going to birthday parties, holiday parties, beach outings, family cruises, many family dinners, softball games, dance recitals, and other daily life celebrations. And her most important request of her loved ones was “to be happy”.
Gudi is survived by her son Michael; her daughter-in-law Becky; her grand-daughters Anika and Jessica; her in-law family including Woody and Bill, Genie, Jimmy, Christian, and Alex, many nieces and nephews in Germany, many “pseudo” nieces and nephews in the U.S, and many friends.
If you wish to make a donation in Gudi’s name please do so to The Alzheimer’s Foundation or The Salvation Army:
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
