Eileen Marie Ann was born in Sullivan Township on November 12, 1921 to parents Andrew and Emma (Wathke) Sachs. She and her siblings, Orneth (1917), Cecil (1919) and Shirley (1928) were raised on the family farm. Eileen attended public school nearby before working as a caregiver before marriage. While at home, she met a young man by the name of Allan William Klages. Allan worked for the Wathke family and their relationship soon flourished. On March 7, 1942 Eileen married her true love, Allan, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marmion. In fact, they were the first couple wed at the church.
The Klages family soon began to grow with the arrivals of Darryl (1943) and Allison Jeanne (1950). When not busy raising her young family she was cooking, canning, working in her large vegetable garden, and helping Allan on the farm. Eileen milked regularly, mostly by hand, and did all the bookkeeping, in addition to always having a hot meal on the table. Although not big travellers, Eileen and Allan enjoyed the trip of a lifetime in 1978 when they travelled to Hawaii.
Eileen and Allan moved to Chesley for their senior years together in the early 80’s. Unfortunately, Allan took ill and was moved to a care facility. Eileen was very dedicated and loving to her husband, she spent every day visiting and caring for him until his death in 2000. Eileen kept on loving after Allan’s passing and took wonderful care of her grandkids. On numerous occasions, she fed them (and many accompanying friends) lunch as Eileen lived just down the street from the high school. Eileen’s cooking was legendary and she filled her family’s tummies and souls. Grandma’s cream puffs (with real cream!) are still talked about to this day and will never be forgotten.
Eileen had a deep abiding faith in God. She loved her church and was heavily involved in her church and community functions throughout the years. Eileen enjoyed watching her family grow through the church, attending all her family’s baptisms, confirmations and weddings. She loved listening to gospel and was an avid reader. Her book of choice was the Bible, but she also visited the Chesley Library countless times and was always up on her world views. Eileen was a charming, loving woman who could be strong-willed at times. She always put her family first and was well-known within her family for her quick wit. These stories and memories will live on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for years to come.
Eileen Marie Ann (Sachs) Klages was called to her eternal home in heaven on December 9, 2020 in her 100th year. Eileen leaves to mourn her children Darryl and wife Mary of Port Elgin and Allison Jeanne Hachey of Paisley. Loving sister of Shirley Redmond of Chesley Lake. Eileen will live on in the hearts and minds of her grandchildren Robert (Stephanie) Klages, Krista (Jason) Klages, Darren (Julia) Hachey, Peter (Kendra) Hachey, Denise (François-Jerome) Hachey and great-grandchildren Joshua, Ryan, Tylie, Gavin, Gabrielle, Emilia, Adelle, Elliot, Clara, Brayden and Tate. She will be remembered by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours. Eileen was predeceased by her husband Allan (2000) brothers Orneth Sachs (2005), Cecil Sachs (2006), her son-in-law Emilien Hachey (2011), niece Marlene Bailey and nephew Dennis Redmond.
A private family funeral service honouring Eileen’s life will be held with interment to follow in Chesley Cemetery.
Memorial donations to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church or Alzheimer Society (in honour of her beloved Allan) would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
