Gleaners Receives $54,000 Legacy Gift From Kleemann Family

Maria and Gene Kleemann

Gleaners expresses gratitude to Eugene “Gene” Kleemann and his family for their generous donation of $54,000.

The gift was made during a memorial banquet in May 2021 to honor Gene after his passing in December 2019. Gene is survived by his wife, Maria Kleemann, who fondly remembers Gene’s “heart that keeps giving” and noted he never wanted anything in return.

“He asked for my help in giving away $2 million to organizations. He put together a list of charities and I researched them,” Maria said. “I knew about Gleaners and chose them because I knew they could help a lot of people.”

Gene was passionate about giving back to his community. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and was an active member of his church and numerous organizations. In his retirement, he spent time volunteering at hospitals, senior centers, and shelters with his family.

Maria said Gene practiced kindness and giving in his daily life.

“He’d always tell me not to leave the house without twenty-dollar bills in my wallet because I might see someone who needs help,” Maria said. “When I would go to the grocery store, he’d tell me to pay for the person behind me at least twice a month.”

Generous donors like Gene and his family are instrumental in supporting Gleaners’ mission to provide households with access to sufficient, nutritious food, and related resources. For more information, or to make a legacy gift, call 313-308-0616 or visit plannedgiving.gcfb.org.