Gardening and greenhouses are like family to Sue Klein. Growing heirloom seeds on the same land her German ancestors once cultivated is a gift that keeps on giving. Each spring, Sue finds herself reminiscing about her childhood—deeply rooted in the soil of Klein’s Floral andGreenhouses.

Sue is the third-generation owner of Klein’s and proudly blooms where she was planted. The greenhouse—founded by her grandparents, Frederick and Susan Klein, in 1913—is still flourishing more than a century later.

The original 13-acre property included a house, two greenhouses, a barn, and a chicken coop. Frederick and Susan began by selling fresh produce, and over time, expanded to growing perennials, carnations, and designing floral arrangements. They raised five children while operating their greenhouse and farm.

In 1954, a fire destroyed half the greenhouses—but the family rebuilt. The following year, Oscar and Joyce Klein purchased the business. Oscar, who had worked at the greenhouse even during his time in the Marine Corps, met Joyce in 1953. After marrying, she joined the business as the retail florist, while Oscar managed the growing operation.

Sue grew up immersed in greenhouse life—working after school and helping out wherever she was needed. She went on to earn a degree in Floriculture from UW–Madison, and in 1990, she bought Klein’s Floral from her parents.

Over the last three decades, Sue has taken immense pride in preserving the family’s legacy—while also innovating for the future. In August 2017, she led a major renovation, tearing down the 100-year-old greenhouse structure. “I definitely shed many tears when the old farmhouse was being torn down,” Sue refletcs. “My dad was born in that house, and it’s where my parents and I lived. There was a lot of history there.”

Sue salvaged many cherished antiques from the old farmhouse, weaving them into the design of the new state-of-the-art garden center and floral shop, completed in March 2018. The transformation earned national recognition for Klein’s, including being featured on the cover of Greenhouse Grower and receiving the 2019 Focus on Energy ‘Energy Efficiency Excellence Award.’

The new facility features automatic ventilators, in-ground heat, high-efficiency boilers, and shade curtains—all of which have greatly improved energy efficiency and growing conditions.

And the tradition continues: Two of Sue’s children now work full-time alongside her, making Klein’s a fourth-generation business. Together, they carry forward a proud heritage of family, flowers, and community.

Today, Klein’s remains true to its roots while thriving as a modern, community-driven garden center. And through it all, Sue continues to grow—right alongside the flowers, plants, and customers she’s come to cherish.