Description
In God’s Hands is an autobiographical, first-person account of the the early life, courtship, and a summary of later life of Ruth Ann Liesman Klein, the daughter of an Iowa doctor and his homemaker wife. Her story is especially compelling, because immediately following their wedding in 1939 to Herman Klein, she and her husband, a Lutheran minister, moved to China, where he had been serving as a missionary since 1921. Herman was also the father of nine children by his former wife, Edna, who died after giving birth to their 10th child, and Ruth took on a mother’s role to help raise them. Ruth’s story covers a tumultuous period of world history. While living in China, The Klein family survived WWII, Japanese internment, and Chiang Kai-shek.
The story is edited by Anita (Nicki) Klein Parsons, the only biological daughter of Ruth and Herman Klein. Nicki compiled the family interviews and gathered over 100 historical photographs that accompany her mother’s story. A portion of the proceeds of every book sold on this website is donated to the Asia Lutheran Seminary.
Reviews
“In God’s Hands is the compelling story of Ruth Ann Liesman Klein, from her childhood in Iowa to her life as the second wife of a widower with nine children. Parsons relies on primary source material as well as oral history to tell her mother’s story. It’s a fascinating read for those who enjoy stories of strong women, and it’s further enhanced by the generous inclusion of family photographs.”
~ Tania Hajjar, Assistant Director Montrose Regional Library
“Parsons beautifully relates the history of her mother’s life and those of her siblings in a joyful read, creating a desire in the reader to do the same for their own family. It’s a powerful story of a family’s mission work in China and how God works in the lives of those who are willing to “trust.”
~ Bobbie Sneed, Montrose Adult Education Center, former Trustee of Montrose Regional Library District
Comments from Ruth’s family
“What a page-turner. I didn’t want to finish the book, I wanted more and more.”
~Bev Klein Hoewisch, granddaughter of Herman and Ruth Klein
“As the seventh of Herman Klein’s nine children, and stepdaughter to Ruth Ann Liesman Klein, I found this book gave me a fuller understanding of Mother Ruth, who fell in love and married a man who was a missionary to China. The pictures are wonderful and the book is writtten in a clear and precise manner that makes it easy to read.”
~Ruth Klein Eberle, seventh child of Herman and Ruth Klein
“I enjoyed reading about Grandma Ruth and how she met Grandpa Herman. The photos and news articles in
the book were fantastic. The era she grew up in was certainly different than what our
kids and grandkids are facing now.”
~ Rus Klein, grandson of Herman and Ruth Klein
“This book is a joy to read and a beautiful testament to our Mother’s early life and her remarkable meeting and subsequent marriage to our Father. The stories Nicki includes brings back such powerful memories of those days when Mother and Pop were starting their lives together with all of our brothers and sisters as one family.”
~Ray and Rachael Klein, son and daughter-in-law of Herman and Ruth Klein
8.5″ X 11.″ 110 pages. Color cover. Illustrated. ISBN: 978-0-9979337-5-8.
