Vicki Klima

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Vicki Lynn Klima on August 7, 2024.

Vicki was born on January 8, 1949 to Wilma Martha Horst and Orin Otto Faller. She grew up in Armour, S.D. surrounded by her loving grandparents, Minnie and Herman Horst – who were very important to her in her life. One year later she was joined by sister Jackie and eight years after that, brother Jeff.

After high school, Vicki attended Concordia Teachers College in Seward Neb., where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She began her teaching career at Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Parochial School in Salt Lake City, where she taught for several years before returning to South Dakota to teach at Herried. In 1980, after studying horticulture at South Dakota State University, she took a teaching position in Murdo, S.D. at the elementary school where she taught grades 2 through 5 over the years. While in Murdo for “only a short time” she met Wayne A Klima.

On March 12, 1981, Vicki and Wayne married in Armour, S.D. For the next 43 years, they enjoyed each other’s love and friendship, and shared a deep appreciation for South Dakota and the prairie. Vicki was an expert fisherman and a good shot – she often out-fished and out-shot the guys. She was also a very loving stepmom to Wayne Mark.

On March 17, 1985, Vicki and Wayne were blessed (one month early) with a baby girl, Elise Andrea, and a babysitter named Lacy – their 85 lbs. chocolate lab, and Elise’s guardian. Vicki was a wonderful, kind, and caring mom, and Elise’s biggest cheerleader! She listened to countless hours of piano lessons, supported her love for drawing, sang Backstreets Boys in the car when Elise learned to drive, and loved watching movies.

Vicki taught a total of 35 years, finishing her last two years at the White River Elementary School. After retiring in 2006, she was struck with Graves’ Disease, which persisted for the rest of her life. With declining health, Vicki and Wayne moved to Thornton, Colo. in 2022 to live with their daughter Elise and family (John and Emily). In 2023, she was diagnosed with ALS. While she remained optimistic, this disease progressed rapidly and took a significant toll on her.

Vicki was passionate about gardening, reading novels by Tom Clancey, and enjoyed the outdoors. Known for her warmth, kindness and infectious laugh, she had a strong presence around those she loved and those that loved her. She was very proud of her granddaughter Emily, especially when she earned her Bachelor of Nursing degree this year and passed her state boards.

Vicki is survived by her husband of 43 years, Wayne Klima, daughter Elise Kietzmann (husband John Kietzmann) granddaughter Emily Klima, and stepson Wayne Mark, as well as her brother Jeff Faller (wife Jan), nephew Blake Faller, brother-in-law Tom Fenolio, and nieces Amanda Fenolio and Jeni Fenolio.  Vicki was preceded in death by her sister Jackie Fenolio, mother Wilma, and father Orin.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The ALS foundation or the South Dakota Habitat Fund.

Donate to The ALS Association: http://web.alsa.org/goto/VickiLynnKlima

South Dakota Second Century Habitat Fund: https://www.sdhabitatfund.org/donate