Florena Jean Kleinhans

Florena (Dolly) Jean Kleinhans passed away on July 9, 2021 at the age of 80. Dolly was born on November 23, 1940 to Frank and Mary Biliardi in Tulare Ca. She was a graduate of Tulare Union High School Class of 1958. At the age of 20, she married Eugene Karnes while attending College of the Sequoias Nursing program to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse. They raised three children on her family’s farm until their divorce in 1978. She later married Cedric Kleinhans in 1979 adding 3 more children to her family. Dolly continued to be a loving mother and grandmother, raising her children and grandchildren to appreciate the simple things in life. Gifts were always practical, what you needed not what you wanted. She enjoyed teaching them family traditions such as making homemade pies, cookies, gnocchi and raviolis. She was also an amazing cake decorator, making wedding cakes and many birthday cakes. Dolly always had cookies in her home and loved to cook on her woodstove during the winter months. She loved the farm life raising Polled Hereford cattle in her younger years and pygmy goats later in life. She surrounded herself with family and friends and loved being outdoors working on the farm.
Dolly was active in 4-H, FFA, Sons of Italy-Roma Lodge #1573, California Cattle Women’s Association and attended St. Rita’s Catholic Church. For 23 years she participated at the California Antique Farm Equipment Show cooking on a woodstove and serving chicken and dumplings and homemade ice cream at Dolly’s Kitchen. After retirement they built a large barn on their property utilizing it for family gathering, holidays, weddings and class reunions. Cedric and Dolly opened their farm to promote education to school children about the early 1900s. As a Licensed Vocational Nurse, she worked for Terrace Park Convalescent Hospital for 12 years and then Tulare District Hospital for 10 years.
Dolly is proceeded in death by her parents and sister Frankie Elaine Davis. She is survived by her husband Cedric Kleinhans, her children Eugene (Geno) Karnes (Jeanine) of Texas, Sandra Cates (Robert) of Idaho, Tina Sparlin (Brent) of Tulare, Eric Kleinhans (Kim) of Exeter, Kevin Kleinhans (Karen) of Tollhouse, and Deneen Likewise (Gerald) of Porterville. She is also survived by her Grandchildren Kelly, Heidi, Danyel, Trulen, Christina, Morgan, Ashley, Ethan, Blake, Shelbey, Brittni, Ty, Bailey, and Brianna as well as 13 great grandchildren.
Please join us in celebration of life on July 20, 2021 – 1 pm at St Rita’s Catholic Church with reception to follow at the Heritage Complex – International Agri-Center. In leu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Rita’s Catholic Church Building Fund 954 S. O Street Tulare, or Roma Lodge # 1573 Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 1337 Tulare, in Dolly’s name.