Marianne Klekamp

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Marianne Klekamp left this earthly life in the early hours of December 9, 2022. She passed peacefully next to the side of her devoted husband, Don after a long battle with breast cancer.

Marianne was born March 25, 1934, in Cincinnati, Ohio to loving parents, Vincent and Marie Schildmeyer. She had a younger brother, Bill Schildmeyer with whom she enjoyed many wonderful times together. During her adolescent years, her parents were not keen on their beautiful young little girl playing sports so they inspired her to play the piano. She became an amazing classical pianist, after countless hours of lessons and practice.

She was not only an outstanding pianist, but she had a love for acting and singing. She attended St. Ursula Academy, graduating in the spring of 1952. During her high school years, she was actively involved in the theater, being chosen for several lead rolls, including "My Fair Lady". Once she graduated from high school, she attended Miami University, later transferring to University of Cincinnati after her first year being homesick for her parents and Don. She very much enjoyed the one year at Miami University where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She cherished many memories of the girls that were her sorority sisters who she felt were the "sisters" she never had growing up. She continued to keep very active in the sorority life after she transferred to the University of Cincinnati and for many years thereafter.

One of her greatest accomplishments at the University of Cincinnati was being selected as Band Sponsor to lead the University of Cincinnati Marching Band. All of the sororities on campus nominated one of their sisters to compete for this honor. Marianne was selected to represent Kappa Kappa Gamma. All of the band members then voted and elected Marianne as the band sponsor for the coming year.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from University of Cincinnati in 1956, she started her first job at General Hospital where she worked as a dietitian. She stayed at General Hospital until January 1957 when she started a new career path with Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company. Here she was hired as a lighting technician and became a specialist in repairing lighting fixtures. She continued to work there until August 1957, when she moved to Cleveland with Don after they got married and started a new job with Stoffer Food as a dietitian. Don gives 100% of the credit for his good health and heathy eating habits to Marianne who made sure that he had the right amount of the 6 food groups on a daily basis and that the food was organic with no additives.

Marianne met Don when both were attending a dance with separate dates. Don immediately fell head over heels for Marianne. He called her shortly thereafter for a date and the rest is history. They dated on and off for approximately 5 years until they were married on July 20, 1957 at All Saints Parish in Montgomery, Ohio. The year that followed after Don took the Bar Exam was rather stressful for the two of them. Don took the Bar Exam in June of 1957, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio in late June and started a new job on July 1, 1957. On the weekend's Don would travel back and forth from Cleveland to Cincinnati in order to spend time with Marianne until their wedding. After their wedding and taking a short honeymoon in Florida, Marianne joined Don in Cleveland. They were not fond of living in Cleveland and wanted to get back to Cincinnati. After living in Cleveland for 19 months, Don was offered a position with Keating & Muething and started with the firm in February of 1959.

The years that followed after Don joined the firm were filled with much adventure and excitement. They welcomed their first daughter, Amy on November 24, 1959. This was just nine months after moving back to Cincinnati. Marianne was busy with not only caring for an infant, but assisting Don with growing his law practice. She was instrumental in Don engaging many large clients over the years, including Cintas and Rumpke. He has repeatedly said to family, friends and colleagues that he would not be where he is today if it were not for Marianne. She encouraged him to be the best that he could be and was always there by his side supporting him in the decisions that he made at home and at work.

Marianne was a kind, loving, passionate and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was always there for her family, whether it be taking them to swim practice and meets, tennis practice and matches, as well as all of their other sports/activities. She inspired her children to do whatever they desired and supported them in their decisions. Marianne would often boast to others about her children and their accomplishments. She was a very proud mother and would do anything for them, but always held them accountable. She was the backbone of the family and the glue that kept everything and everyone together.

When Marianne was not running the kids around, caring for the household needs or assisting Don in growing his practice, she enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, shopping and spending social time with her friends, all of which she excelled at doing. She also enjoyed tremendously her travels all over the world with Don where they experienced the different cultures, environments, foods and met many wonderful acquaintances and friends. She developed her love for travel from her mother who had the same desire to travel the world and see all of the beautiful and stunning places that God has blessed us with on this earth. Marianne had more energy and drive then a 20 year old athlete. She was a real inspiration to all that met her, touching many lives in so many wonderful ways.

Marianne's faith is what enabled her to be strong during the 18 years that she battled breast cancer. She led her life as Jesus directed and was strongly committed to her Catholic faith. There was never a Sunday that she missed Mass, even during her tough times where she would watch it on the television with Don. The family is at peace knowing that Marianne has been reunited in Heaven with our Heavenly Father, along with her mother and father who she dearly adored and admired. May she rest in peace knowing that she has touched so many lives and left beautiful memories behind that will forever be cherished and never forgotten.

Marianne is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Don, her five children and their spouses, Amy and Michael Geers, Molly and Greg Tassone, Becky and Danny Keating, Jody Klekamp and Marta Callahan, Peter and Laura Klekamp, as well as grandchildren Megan Koester, Lauren Tassone, Sara (Wes) Young, Maria (Sam) Thurstone, Rebecca (Emily) Richart, Michael Richart, Daniel Keating, Emily (Brian) Maloney, Thomas Joseph Stachler, Elizabeth Burns, Amanda Burns, Charlie Klekamp, Davis Klekamp, William Klekamp, Maggie Klekamp and Molly Klekamp, and great-grandchildren, Esther, Patrick and Aurora Young, Eliana and Annabelle Thurstone, Vincent Koester and Eloise Maloney.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, December 19th, 1:00 p.m. at St. Gertrude Church, 6543 Miami Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. Visitation will be held prior to the Mass from 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Marianne loved color, always wearing something bright and cheery. Those attending the Mass are welcome to join in wearing a colorful outfit.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to; The Pregnancy Center East, 3944 Edwards Rd Cinti, OH 45209, The Children's Home of Cincinnati, 4550 Red Bank Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 and ProKids, 2605 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219.