Barbara Jean Klein-Emeott 09/29/2025

Barbara Jean Klein-Emeott, age 85, of New Richmond, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Talamore Senior Living in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Born on February 26, 1940, in Birchdale Township, Minnesota, Barb was the youngest of eight children of Thomas and Eva (Walker) Rosty. She graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1957. Her first job was as an usher at the historical Lyceum Theater in Minneapolis. Later, she worked in St. Paul as an admissions clerk at United Hospital and then as a secretary at Mckesson & Robbins. Most of her working career was at The Gillette Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. There she was a dedicated production line operator, group head (supervisor), and a chemical mixer until her retirement in 1992.

Barb married Donald Klein on June 18, 1960, at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She resided in Inver Grove Heights, North St. Paul, and Mahtomedi, Minnesota, with Don until they amicably parted ways after two decades of marriage.

Barb found love again when she met Richard Emeott while working at The Gillette Company. They married at their home in Hudson, Wisconsin on New Years Eve of 1988. In 1999, they moved to New Richmond, Wisconsin. Barb found joy at her home there, where she lived on a small lake with a paddle boat and took pleasure in watching nature. She filled her days with reading, playing solitaire, and crocheting beautiful blankets to gift to loved ones. She also enjoyed swimming in her pool and relaxing in her hot tub. In 2023, they moved to Woodland Hill Senior Living in Hudson, Wisconsin, and later that year to Talamore Senior Living in Woodbury, Minnesota.

While retired, Barb and Dick were able to travel extensively, exploring places like Hawaii, Europe, Central America, Australia, and China. They also enjoyed camping in tents, trailers, and later in their motor coach. From the late 1990s until 2020, they wintered in Brownsville, Texas. In the early years, they stayed in their motor coach at Winter Haven Resort before purchasing a home in the River Bend Resort golf course community. Barb enjoyed hosting dinner parties at their Texas home, and cherished visits from family.

Barb will be remembered as sweet, caring, cheerful, and optimistic. She loved to share her laughter with others and took pleasure in caring for people and making them happy. She treasured her family and friends. Her love will live on in all who were blessed to know her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Eva; her first husband, Donald Eugene Klein; her son, Ronald Klein; her siblings, Marjorie, Gordon, Marie, Carrie, Darline, Carl, and Helen. She is survived by her husband, Richard; her children, Russell (Debra) Klein, Kimberly (James “Pete”) Palecek; five grandchildren, David (Callan) Palecek, Amanda (Brent) Emery, Heather (Christopher) Demko, Justin (Laura) Klein, Jeremy (Shawna) Klein, and seven great-grandchildren.

Barb would always say… “don’t worry, I am fine.” Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is “fine” now, welcomed into heaven and resting in the arms of God.

Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services, 728 S Knowles Ave, New Richmond, WI. Visitation will be held two hours before the service at the funeral home. The family invites all in attendance to join them for a reception at the funeral home following the service. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.