Luella May Klepp

Astoria resident, 83
Luella May Klepp, 83, of Astoria, died Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Astoria.

She was born May 17, 1926, in Longview, Wash., to Ludvic and Stella Benson. She was raised at Buster Creek logging camp until she was 51/2 years old. Upon the death of her father, her mother moved the family to Rainier in 1931. She graduated from Rainier High School in 1945.

On Dec. 5, 1947, she married John Klepp in Rainier. He survives, residing in Astoria, where the couple moved in 1951.

Mrs. Klepp first worked as a statistician for Longview Fiber Co. in Longview. She began working in the seafood processing industry in 1969 at Point Adams, then at Bumble Bee canning and cold storage facility, and finally at Bornstein's Seafoods before retiring in 1983.

Family members said she enjoyed a love of gardening canning foods, wood cutting and outdoor activity. She later enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, Martin Benson of Rainier; two sisters, Laura Jean Stickler of Issaquah, Wash., and Donna Keller of Rainier; two sons, Trygve B. and Kenneth J. Klepp of Astoria; two daughters, Joanne L. Klepp of Hillsboro and Dianne L. Klepp of Astoria; five grandchildren, Aaron and Kayla Jylha and Jacob Klepp, all of Astoria, and Vanessa and Christopher Sifuentes of Hillsboro; and one great-granddaughter, Meleena Anderson.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 at Hudson Cemetery, 75900 Larson Road in Rainier.

Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary .com