Laconia-----Mrs. Ann C. (Williams) Klingenhagen died in Laconia, N.H. on April 27, 2014 at the age of 87 after an extended illness. A native of New York City, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a young woman, serving three years and attaining the rank of staff sergeant, for which she was affectionately called “Sarge” by her children. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Rutgers University evening program in 1966 and worked as a research librarian for various firms in New Jersey and for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.
Mrs. Klingenhagen loved to stay busy. A loving wife and mother of five, an enthusiastic gardener, crafts artist and student of history, she was active for many years in the Girl Scouts as a leader and trainer, as well as in church activities and school PTA’s. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, painting, reading, herb cultivation, and merely tolerated camping with the Scouts. In her later years she was a Master Gardener for the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, a docent and librarian for the McKissik Museum of the University of South Carolina, and a docent for Historic Columbia, S. C., where she demonstrated cotton spinning for children’s programs and participated in antebellum period presentations, making the historic costumes herself.
Mrs. Klingenhagen was preceded in death by her husband Declan and is survived by five children, Ann Marie Klingenhagen, Alice Jean Coughlin and husband James of Gilford, NH, Fred Klingenhagen and wife Madelyn of Winter Park, FL, David Klingenhagen and Valerie Ryan of Columbia, SC, grandchildren Julie Coughlin of Portsmouth, VA, Kris Coughlin of Smithfield, VA and Jonathan Coughlin of Gilford, NH, sisters Julia Jaisel of Rockville, MD, Rosemary Bleha of New York City, and brother James Williams of Guilderland, NY.
Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, 780 No. Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.