Alma Louise Swietzer Kleinsmith passed away Monday, March 5, 2018. Alma was born in Toledo, Ohio to the late Lee and Elsie Swietzer on December 14, 1931. She graduated from Whitmer High School and married the late Norman Earl Kleinsmith, November 4, 1950, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Toledo, Ohio. Alma is survived by her daughter Linda Lee Sessions of Sacramento, CA; Louis Earl Kleinsmith (Janet) of Coral Springs, FL; Larry Norman Kleinsmith (Tami) of Wauseon, OH; and Lance Norbert Kleinsmith (Larry) of Lakeway, TX. Alma’s grandchildren: Danielle Remer (Bobby); Jared Miller and Megan Ray; Kristen Miller and Lonell Felton; Sanders Purves (Stephen); Michael Sanders (Jenna); Lee Blaine Kleinsmith, Miles Kleinsmith, Austin Kleinsmith; Karly Kleinsmith Haushalter (Stephen); Alec Kleinsmith; and Dash. Alma’s great-grandchildren: Anya, Lexie, Isaac, Noah, and Henry Purves; Elsie Mae Sanders; Isaak and Graham Haushalter; Regan, Landon, Avery, and Andie Remer; Alyssa, Mason, and Harper Miller; Tristan Felton; and Ethan Kleinsmith. Alma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Lee, George and Larry Swietzer, and sister Elsie Wilson.
After she married, Alma became a dedicated homemaker. In 1970, she and her husband Norman moved to Blissfield, Michigan, purchased a small farm, and started Blissfield Arabian Farm, where she raised and showed award-winning Arabian horses. After Norman’s death in 1992, Alma, an aspiring inventor and entrepreneur, began two new ventures: The Silk Tree House in Maumee, OH, and CentaurE Products, a line of horse care, nail care, and automotive products. Alma was a gifted pastel artist and seamstress, and never gave up her love for horses, cats, and art. She will be missed by her beloved Bowling Green and Haskins communities, her church, and family. A celebration of Alma’s life will be held on May 12, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 17050 Middleton Pike (SR-582), Bowling Green, OH, 2 miles west of Haskins, Ohio on State Route 582. (419) 823-1731. Pastor David Bliss to officiate. All are welcome. Memorial contributions in Alma’s memory may be gifted to the Wood County Committee on Aging or the Wood County Humane Society.
