Alta Klein

FAYE LINAM KLEIN
OBITUARY

Born on October 2, 1924, Alta Faye Linam Klein peacefully went to be with the Lord during her sleep on October 16, 2015. Faye was born to two long-time ranching families in Southeastern New Mexico, the Taylors and the Linams. Throughout her youth, Faye worked on the Linam ranch raising Hereford cattle until the family concluded that the Santa Gertrudis breed could better handle the rough country in Lea and Eddy counties, replacing the entire herd in the 1950's.

After the death of her first husband, Albert Lipsett, shortly after their wedding, Faye began working on the ranch again. Years later in 1954, she married E. H. "Dutch" Klein. With the unexpected death of her father, Virgil Linam, in 1959, Faye devoted herself to preserving the ranch and developing the purebred herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle that she loved. During these early years Faye labored with her mother, Thelma Linam (later Webber), until Mrs. Linam chose to retire in the mid-1960's. For the last fifty-six years Faye worked tirelessly to improve the land, to raise the confirmation of her herd, and to preserve the family legacy as the third generation of Linams and Taylors to ranch in Lea County.

As a conservationist, Faye always sought to leave the land better than she found it. She labored without fail to distribute native grass seed across her pastures. For decades Faye walked these pastures dragging a gunny sack full of grass seed, broadcasting it by hand. Until recently, Faye also spread the grass seed horseback. Yet Faye's eye for her grass was only exceeded by her love for her cattle.

Faye was recognized by her fellow breeders for her fine herd and keen eye for quality livestock. She was also honored as a pioneer breeder and for her lifetime achievements by the Santa Gertrudis Breeders Association. She personally showed her Santa Gertrudis cattle at various livestock shows, including the Lea County Fair in Lovington, San Antonio, and won the Grand Champion heifer at Denver. She sold purebred stock as far distant as South Africa. Faye was inducted into the Lea County Hall of Fame in 2009. More importantly, Faye loved every one of her herd bulls and brood cows, recognized each immediately and could recite detailed information about the animal's lineage and offspring. Any doubt about Faye's love for her cattle, or "mamas" as she called them, disappeared when listening to her talk to each animal almost like one of her family.

Faye survived tough times, burying two husbands, one daughter, and two sons. She worked "like a man," as she used to put it, even though she was a petite woman. She weathered droughts, hard financial times, and the lack of reliable hired hands. Through it all, until the end of her life, Faye remained as committed to continuing the ranch and to upgrading her herd as was the case fifty plus years ago.

Faye also cared deeply about higher education and loved what contributions the University of the Southwest makes to the region. She also encouraged all of her family as they completed their own education.

Faye was a person of deep Christian faith whose trust in God strengthened and guided her through times of uncertainty and great difficulty. She was a faithful member of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church for many years. She participated in various mission activities, including a mission trip to Sweden. Her Spanish skills enabled her to serve for years as pianist and teacher at Primera Iglesia Bautista in Hobbs. Faye's own written testimony states the following about her Christian faith and journey: "I was fortunate, in that I grew up in a Christian family where we read the Bible, prayed, tithed, and attended church regularly. My parents and grandparents took active part in the church." At the conclusion of Faye's written testimony she wrote, "I am not where I want to be, but I find great pleasure each morning to say to the Lord as I become conscious, ‘I'm reporting for duty, Lord, I want to get in on what you're doing today.'"

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Thelma Linam, sister Bruce Carlin, husbands Al Lipsett and E. H. "Dutch" Klein, daughter Cary, and sons Scotty and infant Klein. She is survived by her son George and daughter-in-law Denise. She is also survived by granddaughters Heather, Meghan, Ashley and their families. She rejoiced over her four great grandchildren, Matthew, Sofia, and Mason Fuentes, and Olivia Rose Meads.

Nana's family shares her faith in Christ and believes that we will see her again in the Resurrection. In the meantime, the family seeks to carry on her service to the Lord and fierce devotion to family. Faye was trusting and generous with all the Lord gave her. Her loyalty to those she loved, her steadfast spirit against all odds, her bravery in times of despair, her faithfulness to her Maker... these laudable characteristics will be remembered for generations, serving both as inspiration and celebration of the life she lived and the love she leaves behind.

Service

Graveside Service

Prairie Haven Cemetery
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240
Saturday, October 24, 2015
3:00 pm

Cemetery

Prairie Haven Cemetery
2201 E. Stanolind
Hobbs, NM  88240

Memorial Contributions

Taylor Memorial Baptist Church
1700 E. Yeso
Hobbs, NM  88240

University of the Southwest
6610 Lovington Highway
Hobbs, NM  88242

The Western Heritage Museum
5317 Lovington Highway
Hobbs, NM  88242