Obituary of Frances Klas

Frances Alexandra Bride "Sandy" (neé Boardman) Klas September 27, 1930 - May 31, 2021 Age 90, passed away at her home in Mendota Heights, MN with family at her side. Born and raised in Saint Paul, Sandy was the second of three children to Lawrence and Margaret Boardman. A 1948 graduate of the Convent of the Visitation School, Sandy was a resident of the St. Wilhelmina residence for women when she met her future husband, Bob, who was a student at Hamline University. Bob and Sandy were married in August 1950 while Bob was still an undergraduate. Less than five years after getting married, they were the parents of four children and Bob had begun his business, the Tapemark Company. They were to eventually have six children as Bob grew the business and Sandy raised the children. A loving, giving, energetic, force of nature, Sandy was not content to simply stay at home. She also led an exceptional life in volunteer leadership that included, but not limited to, serving as a foundational member and past president of the Saint Paul chapter of present-day Minnesota ARC, past president of the Minnesota Association of Children with Learning Disabilities, former president of the board of the Minnesota Opera Guild, board member of the St. Mary's Home, founder and president of the Boy Scouts of America - Special Scouts, co-founder of the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament, co-founder of the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, member and Trustee Emeritus of the Hamline University Board of Trustees, Committee to Save the Cathedral Protocol of Saints, board member of Our Lady of Peace Hospice, co-founder of Grime Stoppers employment for the developmentally disabled, board member of the Saint Paul chapter of Hadassah, founder of the National Association of the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts with Disabilities, and the Nativity of Our Lord church choir. Loved by so very many, Sandy is survived by her children Margaret Johnson (Philip), Robert Klas Jr. (Linda), Elizabeth Polome (Reid), Thomas (Lisa Swan), and Christine (Brian) Nelson; her grandchildren Katherine Johnson, Charles Johnson, Scott Klas, Lauren Klas, Annie Polome, Samuel Polome, Christopher Polome, and Kate (Jonathan) Plett; her great-grandchildren Noah Johnson and Lily Plett; and her sister Evelyn Morse. Preceded in death by her husband Robert, her brother Lawrence Jr., her daughter Frances, parents Lawrence Sr. and Margaret Boardman, and her stepmother Katherine Boardman. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, June 7, 10:30 AM at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 1935 Stanford Avenue, Saint Paul. Visitation Sunday, June 6, 3-7 PM at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-228-1006, and at church one hour before the funeral Mass. Interment will be in the afternoon on Monday, June 7 at 2:30 PM at Riverview Cemetery in Wabasha, MN. Memorials preferred to ARC Minnesota. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, June 7, 10:30 AM at the Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, 1935 Stanford Avenue, Saint Paul. Visitation Sunday, June 6, 3-7 PM at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, 651-228-1006, and at church one hour before the funeral Mass. Interment will be in the afternoon on Monday, June 7 at 2:30 PM at Riverview Cemetery in Wabasha, MN. Memorials preferred to ARC Minnesota.