Hulda Kleinknight, 96 years old of Berne, Indiana, passed away at 10:35 a.m. on Friday, July 4, 2014 in the Swiss Village located in Berne. Hulda was born on Wednesday, January 9, 1918 in Adams County, Indiana the daughter of the late Daniel P. Steury and the late Catherine (Habegger) Steury. Hulda's first husband was John A. Leyse, married on April 5, 1942 in the Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren, and he passed away on December 16, 1977. Her second husband was Gene Kleinknight, married on March 21, 1987 in the Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren, and he passed away March 23, 2008. Hulda was a member of the Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren where she had been a Sunday School teacher; a choir member; Bible School teacher; and a member of the church Women's Fellowship. Hulda had been a member of the Kirkland Extension Club of Adams County. Hulda had been a teacher's aide at Adams Central High School for 10 years; following her work for Adams Central she served as a hostess at the Dutch Mill Restaurant for 10 years in Bluffton, IN; and right after high school, she worked in the AAA office at Decatur doing clerical work. Surviving are her son, Michael (Becky) Leyse of Decatur, IN; daughter, Sally J. Leyse of Twin Falls, ID; sister, Estella McDaniel of Portland, IN; sister, Naomi (Bill) Polstra of Roswell, GA; sister, Verna Tharp of Tucson, AZ; four grandchildren, Troy (Kelly) Leyse; John (Angie) Leyse; Shaun (Holly) Leyse, Tammy (Michael) Gerber; and 14 great-grandchildren. Preceding Hulda in death were 4 sisters: Elma Schwartz; Earlena Hawkins; twin sisters, Dora & Flora Steury who died as infants. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in the Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren with Rev. Jay Carter officiating. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Dale Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at Swiss Village in Berne, Indiana and one hour prior to the service at Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren on Wednesday. Preferred memorials are to Pleasant Dale Church of the Brethren.
