Rosita Kleinberger

Sharon- Rosita M. Kleinberger, 86, of Slate Hill Road, died Thursday, July 23, 2015 at Cobleskill Regional Hospital.

Born February 14, 1922 in Irvington, NJ, she was the daughter of William and Mary (Nestor) MacPhee. Rosita and her brothers attended Maplewood Schools. She excelled in music performance and answered her internal call to be a teacher by attending the former Keene State Teachers' College. After classes, Rosita was an active USO volunteer, often entertaining the troops and hospitalized veterans with song and dance. She was a featured soloist performing live on many radio stations throughout New York and New Jersey.

On June 9, 1951, she married her sweetheart, Paul Kleinberger of Sharon Springs and moved to his dairy farm on Slate Hill Road. Together they founded Great Birch Farms and started their family. Over the next 16 years, Rosita gave birth to eleven children.

She was a kindergarten teacher at Cobleskill Central School for several years and continued her academic pursuits at the State University of New York-Albany earning a Master's Degree in Education Administration, as well as Advanced Certificates in several areas of personal interest.

Rosita was a NYS Certified Superintendent of Schools. She concluded her teaching career at Sharon Springs Central School, retiring in 1990 and earning a Distinguished Teaching Service Award.

Ever the singer, Rosita often performed at weddings, local events, and was a member of several choral groups. She enjoyed singing as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul choir most of all.

Rosita was actively involved with her husband in all facets of his business endeavors. She served in a variety of positions over the years to include being Vice President of Great Birch Farms, Great Birch Morgan Horses, Great Birch Enterprises, and Country Electronics.


She was a communicant of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Rosita and Paul had eleven children, one of which, Ronald, predeceased her on June 7, 2015.

Survivors include her loving husband, Paul S. Kleinberger; ten children: Paul Kleinberger of Loudonville, George Kleinberger of Fort Belvoir, VA, Christina Beauchemin of Chatham, Rosemary Petersen of Cobleskill, Andrew Kleinberger of Naples, FL, John Kleinberger of Schenectady, Scott Kleinberger of Carlisle, Michael Kleinberger of Bonita Springs, FL, Mary Bitzen of Kettle Falls, WA, and Gregory Kleinberger of Sharon Springs; fifteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 138 Washington Ave., Cobleskill with Rev. Jeffrey L'Arche as celebrant. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the church from 4 to 6PM Tuesday. Burial will be in Slate Hill Cemetery, Sharon, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church or Sharon Springs Volunteer Rescue Squad, 137 Beechwood Road, Sharon Springs, NY 13459.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill and Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home of Middleburgh.

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