Frieda Klein

Frieda Schnapauff Klein, 88, passed away December 21, 2010, at Southpoint Terrace Nursing Home, Jacksonville, Florida, after a long illness. She was born October 21, 1922, the twelfth of thirteen children, to the late Wilhelm and Frieda Kallenbach Schnapauff, in Rostock, Germany. She was raised in Berlin, where she was a kindergarten teacher. In 1948 she married Dietrich Klein, and in 1952, she and her young daughter joined him in America to begin a new life; they proudly became U.S. citizens in 1957. Frieda loved all living things. She could identify birds by their calls and their color, to the delight of her children. She gardened with great joy, raising everything from African Violets to Zinnias. She raised her children the same way, with patience and joy, and she delighted in her grandchildren. It is our sorrow that she was not well enough to know her great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Frieda was predeceased by her siblings Jürgen, Johann, Meno, Theda, Karl, Berta, Helene, Wilhelm, Adolf, Fritz and Lebrecht; and her husband, Dietrich Klein. She is survived by her brother, Ludwig, Berlin, Germany; children, Rosemarie Klein Tallman (Larry), Jacksonville; Doris Klein Wiles (Doug) and Ralph Dietrich Klein (Jane), St. Augustine; grandchildren Jill Tallman Keller (Don), Brian Tallman (Alexis), Lynn Tallman Mitchell (Brian), Lindsay Wiles Gramana (Zack), Ashley Wiles Gregoire (Ian), and Hank, Katie, and Maddy Klein; great-grandchildren Eva and Donny Keller; and numerous nieces and nephews. A private family celebration is planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are gratefully accepted, and may be sent to The Woman’s Exchange, Attn: Karen Jurgensen - Garden Fund, 143 Saint George St., St. Augustine, FL, 32084. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025