Frances Eugenia Harness Klasek

Frances E Klasek, nee Harness, died September 17, 2017 at 92 years old. Born September 11, 1925, in Desoto, Missouri, Mrs. Klasek moved to the big city of St Louis after high school graduation. Her proficiency in secretarial work and bookkeeping brought her employment at Century Electric Company, where she also found her husband, Herbert A Klasek. In 1960, Mr. Klasek was named head of engineering for Century Electric Company's first branch plant, and the Klasek family moved to McMinnville, Tennessee. Mrs. Klasek lived in McMinnville, in the same house, thereafter. A stay-at-home mom for most of her children's lives, Mrs. Klasek said after finding herself playing Beatles' records during the school day, she knew she needed more to challenge her. She returned to the workforce, most notably as the City High School secretary (later Warren County Senior High School). Mrs. Klasek had a great sense of humor and a wonderful, playful sensibility. Her spot-on imitation of a gobbling turkey is something of a legend with family and friends. She marshaled summers filled with activities and travel for the family, and welcomed all friends of her children into her home to share in the fun times; her household was always the center of action. Back when McMinnville's downtown was the bustling heart of the city, a friend of Mrs. Klasek's commented that if they saw her out and about, they knew her four children had to be nearby, because they were always together. She was a caring person who saw need in others and filled those needs when it was in her power to do so, done without fuss or fanfare. As her children grew, Mrs. Klasek was an active volunteer in the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and the high school band boosters. For several years she was chairman of the girl scouts' cookie-selling drive, remembered for juggling boxes and boxes of cookies that arrived to fill the family garage. Once her children were grown, Mrs. Klasek continued to volunteer with the VFW Auxiliary and St Catherine's Catholic Church, and turned her attention to hobby pursuits. She was expert in needlecrafts, creating baby blankets, booties and caps, given to every baby or expectant mother she encountered. She crocheted St Patrick's Day shamrocks and delicate angels that she gave to people all over the United States and in other countries. Her family estimated the shamrocks and angels numbered at least a thousand. She enjoyed making ceramics, was a voracious reader, and an avid puzzler. She and Mr. Klasek loved tackling crossword and jigsaw puzzles together. Mrs. Klasek was preceded in death by her husband Herbert A Klasek, her son Martin (Marty) Klasek, and son-in-law John A Glover; her parents Francis and Lucille (Denny) Harness, and all her siblings, John Harness, Mary Harness Cacanindin, Martha Harness Williams, Edna Harness Schaefer, and Glenda Harness Stemmler. Mrs. Klasek is survived by her son, the reverend Father Stephen A Klasek, and daughters Susan Klasek Mosler and Theresa Klasek Glover. Son-in-law Alan K Mosler, and daughter-in-law Kathy Klasek. Her grandchildren, Sarah Glover Heston, Elizabeth (Libby) Glover, Matthew Mosler, Katherine (Katie) Mosler Hayworth, Michael Mosler, Sarah Elizabeth (Beth) Klasek Cox, Andrew (Andy) Klasek. Spouses of grandchildren, Michelle Mosler, Jeff Hayworth, Amanda Mosler, Richard Cox. Great-grandchildren, Dash Heston, Jacob Heston, Layla Mosler, Chloe Mosler, Garrett Hayworth, Morgan Mosler, Brasco Cox. Mrs. Klasek requested cremation with no formal services. Memorials to Magness Library and St Catherine's Catholic Church, both of McMinnville. Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com. High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.