Sarah Klass

Sarah Klass, 89, of Mission Viejo, California passed away on Friday January 4th, 2013. With 3 generations of family by her side, she spent the last moments of her life comfortable and surrounded with love at her Hospice residence, Bubbe and Zayde’s Place in Santa Ana, California. Sarah was born on July 23rd, 1923 to Morris and May Mandel in New York City. Morris and May, newly emigrated from Russia, raised Sarah and her 4 younger siblings, Esther, David, Harold, and Rita in the Bronx, New York.

Sarah worked in millinery and bookkeeping when she first met Irving Trank in 1949. For Irving it was love at first sight and they were married April 16th, 1950 in New York. They moved to Los Angeles and later Downey, California where they had 3 sons: Michael, Robert, and Steven. After Irving’s passing, Sarah married Louis Klass, July 30, 1967 in Downey California and became the stepmother of Betty, Michael, and David. They were married for 35 happy years, before Lou passed away in 2002.

Throughout her life, Sarah enjoyed designing and making jewelry, creating art through painting, mosaics, and sculpture, participating in a bowling league, attending theatre, shopping, travelling all around the world, and most of all spending time with the people she loved. She was an active participant in the Jewish community, having helped found Temple Ner Tamid in Downey and supporting B’nai Brith. She lived in Orange County, California for the last 20 years.

Sarah is survived by her 6 children, 9 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, sister Rita, brother David and many nieces and nephews. She was a beloved mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. Anyone who knew Sarah can attest that her ability to love and care for those in her life was unparalleled. It is a rare and beautiful gift to be able to love as unconditionally as Sarah loved her family. She lived every day with boundless loyalty, generosity, and devotion to her family. It stands tribute to who she was as a person, that in the end she would say that the greatest achievement of her life was the people in it. She lived a life of love surrounded by people who loved her back just as ardently.

The funeral service will be held on Friday January 11, 2013 at 11:00 am. Rabbi Richard Steinberg of Congregation Shir Ha Ma’alot will officiate the gravesite service at Eden Memorial Park, 11500 Sepulveda Blvd, Mission Hills, San Fernando Valley 91345. Reception details TBA. Sarah will be buried at the Trank Family plot alongside Irving Trank. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Congregation Shir Ha-Ma’alot, 36525 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612.