Erika G. Kloth

Erika G. Baumann Kloth, age 86, of Kalamazoo died peacefully surrounded by family at her home on August 24, 2012. She was born on June 21, 1926 to Erich and Gertrud Baumann in Plauen, Germany. As a teenager, she lived through the devastation of her family home and town. After the war, her life was extremely difficult. She had to flee her hometown and eventually traveled to the United States. She arrived at Ellis Island with one suitcase and 10 cents in her pocket. She settled in Monroe, Michigan. In 1953 she was joined by her longtime childhood friend, Wolfgang. They were married on June 19, 1954 and in 1959, the couple moved to Kalamazoo, MI where they have lived since. Erika was employed by Peter Eckrich and Sons in Kalamazoo for 26 years, until her retirement in 1986. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo for over 50 years, working in the food pantry, making meals for the Kids Club and stitching for the Quilters. She was known for her hard work, her enthusiasm and her always cheerful disposition. She never failed to pitch in to help make things happen. Erika loved to work with her hands. Her hands were working hands and they were always busy. She loved to do crafts and stitching. She was an extremely fine needlewoman who created many beautiful pieces during her lifetime. Erika adored her two grandchildren. She spent many hours with them doing "projects" and playing in the yard. She collected endless pictures and created beautiful scrapbooks of all the family activities. Erika loved flowers and working in her garden. Every summer her yard was bursting with color. She loved being outside and working in the dirt. Her passion will live on in her grandson, Sam. She was known for her housekeeping and was affectionately called the "White Tornado." She was also an amazing baker. Every Christmas the family gathered for her annual Christmas cookie bake-a-thon, creating hundreds of delicious cookies to eat and share. Wolfgang and Erika spent many years enjoying the natural beauty and peace of the Sleeping Bear Dunes area of Michigan. The family would gather to enjoy long hikes, swimming, and long evenings of extremely competitive card playing and wine drinking. She loved cards and did not like to lose. Erika had an infectious outgoing personality. She was also a great communicator, striking up conversations with total strangers and making friends wherever she went. No one wanted to go to the post office with her because it would take too long since she had to talk to everyone she met. She was a dedicated letter writer and maintained correspondence with many of her classmates from school throughout her lifetime. Her passion for writing lives on in her granddaughter, Emily. Erika was a beautiful soul who worked hard to create a warm, loving home for us, her family. We are indescribably grateful for her presence in our lives and will miss her always. She fought the good fight and lived a true life of love. Erika G. Kloth is survived by her husband, Wolfgang P. Kloth, and two daughters; Susanne Kloth of Kalamazoo and Christina Kloth Adams and son-in-law, John Adams of Kalamazoo. She is survived by two grandchildren; Emily Adams and Samuel Adams, both of Kalamazoo. She is also survived by her brother; Gerhard Baumann, a nephew; Peter Baumann, and a grandnephew; Maximillian Baumann, all of Plauen, Germany. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 South Westnedge, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, followed by a luncheon. Visitation will be immediately preceding the service at 10:30. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St.