(1926-2025)

Frances Jean Klema, 98, passed away Sept. 12, 2025, in Honolulu, Island of Oahu, Hawaii. She was born Nov. 30, 1926, to August A. and Amelia A. (Prohaska) Klema.

She grew up in Wilson and graduated from Wilson High School in 1944. Other education included Marymount College, Salina, Kan., certified dietitian from University Hospitals of Cleveland and Master of Arts in Education at Pepperdine University, Hawaii branch.

Fran had a career at University of Hawaii’s Kapiolani Community College. According to a coworker at KCC, “Ms. Klema was a dedicated and tireless worker, and when she retired from KCC, it took three people to replace her and do her workload.” Another friend described Fran as a remarkable person with a lot of integrity. She was strong and independent all her life. She was interested in world affairs and local politics. Fran attended First Presbyterian Church regularly. She enjoyed reading and volunteered at Friends of the Library at McKinley School. Fran loved pizza!

Frances was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Harry Lee Klema and Leroy C. Klema.

There will be no funeral service, but family and friends will meet at Wilson City Cemetery on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. to scatter her ashes at the family plot.