Elsbeth Maria Lappé1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11

F, b. 31 January 1925, d. 14 May 2000
FatherFriedrich Lappé1,2,8 d. c 1938
MotherAnna Tolksdorf1,2,8 d. c 1933
     Elsbeth Maria Lappé, daughter of Friedrich Lappé and Anna Tolksdorf, was born on 31 January 1925 at Berlin, Germany.1,4,12,13,7,8,10,3,5 Her mother died circa 1933.14 Circa 1938, her father also died at which point she and her siblings went to live with their aunt in East Prussia.14

In 1943, Elsbeth was living with her sister at Wertheim (Maloje Rasskasowo), Gumbinnen (Gusev), Südostpreußen (Kaliningrad), Russia,2 where she worked as a cashier.2

Elsbeth worked as a volunteer nurse's aide at Reservelazarett III (Military Hospital III), Königsberg (Kaliningrad), Ostpreußen, (Russia), between 15 October 1943 and 19 June 19442,10, and as a nurse at Reservelazarett II (Military Hospital II), Allenstein-Kortau.2

On their third attempt to escape the Russians by boat, Elsbeth and her sister were finally successful.14

Elsbeth began working at the Reservelazarett I at München on 1 February 1945.2 On 2 February 1945, Elsbeth was transferred to the Reservelazarett at Memmingen, Bayern.2 Between 9 April 1945 and November 1945, Elsbeth worked at the Reservelazarett III at Erlangen, Bayern.2

Elsbeth married Michael Peter Klein, son of George Peter Klein and Eva Bierle, on 5 March 1952 at Frankfurt am Main, Hessen, Germany.3,7,8,15,10,5 On 9 May 1952, Elsbeth is documented as living at the home of the Lutz-Bachmann family at Friedrichstraße 32, Frankfurt am Main.4 Elsbeth boarded the SS Liberte in Le Havre on 16 May 1952, and arrived at New York City 22 May 1952.9,5

Michael and Elsbeth lived at 3340 N. Leavitt Street, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, in June 1952.16

In 1955, Michael and Elsbeth were back in Chicago and lived at 2945 N. Racine.5 Elsbeth was naturalized in 1955 at Chicago.5 Between 1962 and 1965, they lived at 4812 Foster Avenue, Chicago.14 Their next home, between 1965 and 1977, was at 1804 Almond Court, Mt. Prospect, Cook County, Illinois.14

After moving to California to be near his siblings, Michael and Elsbeth lived at 6201 Amber Lake Ave, San Diego.11,17 She worked as a bookkeeper at Chicago, and also later in San Diego.10

Elsbeth died on 14 May 2000 at San Diego Hospice in San Diego at age 75 years, 3 months and 14 days. Her obituary reads as follows:
KLEIN, ELSBETH MARIA Elsbeth Maria Klein, nee: Lappe, of San Diego, passed away Sunday May 14, 2000 at San Diego Hospice after a short illness. Mrs. Klein was born on January 31, 1925 in Berlin, Germany. Her daughter Felicia Czech, son-in-law Chris Czech and her three grandchildren Lyndsey, Michael and Bryant Czech all of San Diego survive her. Also surviving in Germany is her sister Felicitas Lappe, niece Kristin Kommer and nephew Guido Lappe. Locally she is survived by nephews George Jonilonis and his wife Mary and Richard Jonilonis and his wife Judy (niece). Also surviving are extended families in California and Oregon. Mrs. Klein worked as a nurse in Germany and met and married her husband Michael Klein after WWII. They returned to the United States and made their original home in Chicago and lived there until 1977 when they moved to San Diego. Her husband passed away in 1989. Mrs. Klein worked as a bookkeeper both in Chicago and San Diego. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She loved her home, her family, her friends and her pets. As a young woman in Germany she owned and rode horses and acquired numerous pieces of art throughout her life that testified to her love of horses. She also loved dogs and had many great canine companions over the years. Her Beagle Peanuts was able to visit during her recent hospitalization that brought her special joy and comfort. Elsbeth Klein was a friend to all who knew her and she will be fondly remembered. Memorial service is scheduled Monday May 22, 2000 at 10 a.m. at Sunrise Community Baptist Church, at 8805 North Magnolia Ave. in Santee. A small reception will follow. Donations may be made to San Diego Hospice in memory of Elsbeth.12,6,13,7,8,10
Elsbeth was buried on 26 May 2000 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.12,7
Cemetery Marker of Michael Peter Klein and Elsbeth Maria Lappé in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
Photograph by Karen Zander

Family: Michael Peter Klein b. 25 Jun 1915, d. 13 Feb 1989

Citations

  1. [S2596] Geburtsurkunde von Elsbeth Lappé, Nr. 237 (23 November 1949), Elsbeth Lappé - 31. Jan. 1925
    "(Standesamt 12a Berlin, jetzt Tiergarten von Groß-Berlin Nr. 237/1925)
    Elsbeth Maria Lappé
    ist am 31. Januar 1925
    in Berlin, in der Charité geboren.
    Vater: Mechaniker Friedrich Lappé
    wohnhaft in Frankfurt am Main.
    Mutter: Anna Lappé geborene Tolksdorf
    wohnhaft in Berlin.
    Änderungen der Eintragung:
    Berlin- , den 23. November 1949."
  2. [S2598] Verwendungsbuch für die im Dienste der Freiwilligen Krankenpflege tätige, Laufende Nr. 4678.
  3. [S2595] Marriage Certificate, Michael Klein and Elsbeth Lappé:, Michael Klein and Elsbeth Lappé - 5 March 1952
    "Standesamt Frankfurt am Main I, Nr. 205
    Der Corporal Michael Peter Klein
    katholisch, wohnhaft in Chicago, Illinois, USA
    geboren am 24. Juni 1915,
    in Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
    (Standesamt durch standesamtliche Urkunde nicht nachgewiesen), und
    katholisches Pfarramt Arlington Heights
    die kaufmännische Angestellte Elsbeth Maria Lappé
    katholisch, wohnhaft in Frankfurt am Main
    geboren am 31. Januar 1925
    in Berlin
    (Standesamt 12a Berlin jetzt Tiergarten von Groß Berlin, Nr. 237).
    haben am 5. März 1952
    vor dem Standesamt Frankfurt am Main I die Ehe geschlossen.
    Frankfurt am Main, den 5. März 1952."
  4. [S2597] Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung für Frau Elsbeth Klein geb. Lappé, "Unbedenklichkeitsbescheinigung
    Frau Elsbeth Klein geb. Lappé
    ge. am 31.1.1925 zu Berlin
    Frankfurt a. M. Friedrich-Strasse 32 wohnhaft,
    wird hiermit bescheinigt, daß
    der Ausstellung eines Reisesdokuments zum Zwecke der Auswanderung,
    gemeindesteuerliche Bedenken nicht entgegenstehen."
  5. [S2813] Ancestry.com, Petitions for Naturalization, 1906-1991, NAI: 593882; Record Group Number: RG 21, 360 W 4800 North, Provo, Utah. Elsbeth Maria Lappé - Petition No. 362975.
  6. [S1439] Find A Grave, online http://www.findagrave.com, Birth:      Jan. 31, 1925
    Death:      May 14, 2000


    Note: WIFE OF MICHAEL PETER KLEIN

    Burial:
    Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
    San Diego
    San Diego County
    California, USA
    Plot: I 0 72-A

    Created by: Marvin & Samme Templin
    e-mail address
    Record added: Sep 29, 2011
    Find A Grave Memorial# 77319221.
  7. [S2283] U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006r II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, online www.ancestry.com, Name:     Elsbeth Maria Klein
    Service Info.:     CPL US ARMY
    Birth Date:     31 Jan 1925
    Death Date:     14 May 2000
    Relation:     Wife Of Klein, Michael Peter
    Interment Date:     26 May 2000
    Cemetery:     Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery
    Cemetery Address:     P.O. Box 6237 San Diego, CA 92166
    Buried At:     Section I Site 72-A.
  8. [S2288] Name:     Elsbeth Maria Klein
    [Elsbeth Klein]
    [Elsbeth Maria Lappe]
    SSN: 321300092
    Gender: Female
    Race: White
    Birth Date: 31 Jan 1925
    Birth Place: Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany
    Father Name: Friedrich Lappe
    Mother Name: Anna Tolksdorf
    Death Date: 14 May 2000
    Type of Claim: Original SSN.
    Notes:     Jul 1952: Name listed as ELSBETH MARIA KLEIN; 25 May 2000: Name listed as ELSBETH KLEIN, Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.
  9. [S2290] Elsbeth Klein, SS Liberte Ship Passenger Manifest, 22 May 1952; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Microfilm Roll: Roll 8150, Line 13, Elsbeth Klein, Roll 8150.
  10. [S2293] San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2000.
  11. [S2280] United States Public Records, 1970-2009, online FamilySearch https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KYX9-NCR, accessed 24 July 2015.
  12. [S2289] Unknown compiler, accessed 24 July 2015.
  13. [S31] Social Security Death Index, Master File, Ancestry.com.
  14. [S2494] Interview, Felicia (Klein) Czech, 16 Jul 2016.
  15. [S1874] Emigration from Banat in the National Archives Ship Records, 78 Extractions for the Village of: Pankota, online http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~banatdata/…, David Dreyer, San Mateo, California, Line 13, Elsbeth Klein.
  16. [S2428] "Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States", Michael Peter Klein, Honorable Discharge.
  17. [S36] Michael P. Klein, Certificate of Death.
Last Edited=24 Dec 2023