Services for Debra Ann Klein

Debra Ann Klein passed away in Spokane, WA on December 30, 2018 at the age of 51. She was born December 23,1967 in Fosston, MN to Ralph and Donna Klein and was the fifth of eight children. She grew up in the northwestern Minnesota town of Grygla, population 211, and graduated from high school in 1986. One of her favorite stories to tell from high school was how she totaled the Drivers’ Ed car. She started college at University of Minnesota-Crookston and transferred to Minnesota State University Moorhead in 1988. She graduated in 1992 with degrees in Elementary Education and Coaching. She loved playing and talking sports and her five 3-pointers in one game often came up in conversations. As their point guard, her basketball team won two state titles and were later inducted into the UMC Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to graduation, she began going to Anchorage, AK in the summers to work as a waitress. Being the adventurous type and loving Alaska, she moved there after graduation and continued to work as waitress and substitute teacher until she was hired full time by the Anchorage School District in 1996. She started her career at Mt. View Elementary and after a short stint there, was hired at Northwood Elementary as a fourth grade teacher. She loved teaching and the kids loved her and her somewhat unorthodox style. Her fellow teachers probably remember that her classroom was not the tidiest! She had a profound way of connecting with and inspiring kids both in the classroom and as a volleyball coach. Deb was extremely compassionate and empathetic about the people in her life, always putting others first and making sure everyone had a good time. In 1993 while waitressing at the Sea Galley, Deb met John Bost whom she married on March 11, 1995. Deb was so nervous at the wedding that two of her brothers had to practically carry her down the aisle. Deb loved to play golf and became good at it quickly, often shooting in the 90’s. She joined the Anchorage Women’s Golf Association and spent many happy years with the ladies’ club. Deb’s pre-shot routine often included the mantra, “lock, load, focus, and commit”. She also loved to hike and ski and has climbed most of the peaks behind Anchorage numerous times. While hiking “The Ramp” she was too scared to climb the last 15 feet earning her the nickname “sissy bedwetter”, a title she often used on others. Deb and John spent many winter weekends at their condo at Alyeska Ski Resort and dinner at the Double Musky was a ritual. Winter vacations to Cabo or Cancun were highlights for many years until they bought a home in Indian Wells, CA which became their yearly winter destination. John retired in 2012 and they moved to Liberty Lake, WA, became snowbirds, and split their time between Washington and California. Deb is survived by her husband, John, stepson Ian (Jenn) and their children, Emma and Ariyana, stepdaughter Whitney (Rob) and their children, Pilar and Diego, her 7 siblings, Eric, Kelly, Rebecca, Jeff, Shane, Ryan, and Rachel, many other family members and friends, and her dog, Fred. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Donna Klein. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 4, 2019 in her home town of Grygla, MN. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Foundation for Alcoholism Research. (alcoholismresearch.org)
 

Richards Publishing

P.O. Box 159
239 2nd Ave
Gonvick, MN 56644
Telephone: (218) 487-5225
email: richards@gvtel.com

 

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