Jean Jenell Klippstein

Jean Jenell Klippstein was born in Los Angeles, California, on
November 13 th , 1930, to John Daniel Wisehaupt and Elda Emma
(nee Rothenpieler). She was raised with her two younger sisters,
Gwen and Lela, (the three sisters were very close and remained
‘best friends’ their whole lives) during the Great Depression.
Jean always said she never felt deprived since they had chickens,
rabbits, a large garden, and many fruit trees. They shared and
traded their ‘bounty’ with their neighbors.  Chicken and eggs
for frog legs, cow tongue and tripe, vegetables and fruits for
different types.
Jean graduated from High School and Community College in Los
Angeles and worked in various clerical positions.
Jean met her first husband, Robert Gillum, at a roller-skating rink.
 They married and together they had 8 children; Robert, Ronald,
Thomas, Donna, Karen, Kimberly, Teri, and lost a child at birth.
For 20 years, Jean worked at home raising her family. Jean loved
to hike and reached the peak of Mount Whitney in her 40’s, was
the very first Versa Teller Lady (the Original ATM) at Bank of
America in the 1980’s and was the original ‘Coupon Queen’ long
before it was popular or trendy; regularly getting hundreds of
dollars of groceries to feed her family, for just a few dollars. But
when asked about her greatest accomplishment, she always
answered “having and raising my children’. 
After her divorce, Jean raised her children alone. 
Jean met the love of her life, Robert Klippstein, in Paramount
California. Bob and Jean retired to Clear Lake, South Dakota,
where Jean and Bob enjoyed gardening and cooking together,
and Jean read many good books, while Bob fished and duck
hunted.
After Bob’s passing, Jean moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to be
closer to family. In the ensuing years, Jean enjoyed visits with
family, trips to the casino, and lots and lots of dining out! Jean
could always be found in front of her TV on Wednesday Nights
watching Survivor or the Amazing Race.

Hers was a life not untouched by tragedy and sorrows, but the
eternal optimist was Mom, always looking on the ‘bright side’
through her ‘rose colored glasses’; her lifelong faith in God kept
her strong through it all. Thank you, Mom, for instilling that faith
and strength in us too.
Jean was welcomed with open arms by her loved ones
that passed before her including her Mother and Father, her
sisters, her baby boy, son Ronald, and
Robert Klippstein, who made her the happiest she had ever been.
 She is survived by six of her children, ten grandchildren, and 17
great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, family asks that you donate to the Arbor Day
Foundation in order to replace some of the hundreds of trees that
gave their lives to support Jean’s prolific letter writing over the
years; letters filled with the details of her days; meals out,
(including costs and tips!), weekly weather reports, play by plays
of ‘Hot Dog Days’ in Clear Lake, and much more. Each letter
lovingly handwritten or typed on her typewriter, numbered and
dated, to all of her children, grandchildren, friends, and extended
family.
Services will be held on March 18 th  at 2:00 PM, at
English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with burial in
Goodwin, South Dakota.
Jean will be buried with Bob Klippstein, in Goodwin Cemetery, on
March 23 rd , 2024.