Kathy Klein-Habermehl

Kathy Klein-Habermehl, age 65, of Grants Pass, Oregon, passed into glory on December 12, 2013 with family and friends at her side. She succumbed shortly after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. She leaves her husband Jeff, a son Michael Kiser and his partner in life Rosa, a granddaughter Jaqueline Elise Kiser, a brother, an aunt, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Kathy was born April 3, 1948 in Whittier, California.

Kathy retired to Grants Pass, Oregon after a teaching career spanning thirty-three years on the elementary and middle school level. She taught thousands of students with love and compassion, and a sense of family. Passionate about her calling which she wanted to enter from an early age, she had that rare ability of all great teachers. She could see a child and know intuitively what needed to be done for him or her. When she set about to accomplish that goal, Kathy wasn’t happy until it was achieved. She has an enduring legacy that will span generations in those who were under her tutelage.

Kathy never forgot a student’s name and could see the child’s face in the adult when reunited with him or her many years later. Chance meetings, or students returning as adults with their own children in tow, were frequent and joyous occurrences. The students staring expectantly up at her from their desks, were her children. She continued to tell them so even into the days and weeks leading up to her passing when they telephoned. Some traveled many miles to Grants Pass to see her. Kathy was a Pied Piper who drew people to her with her magnetic personality and her open genuineness.

Her loss is a heavy burden on her family and friends, but the love she showed them was tenfold for those who called her Darling, Mom, Nanni, Aunt TeeTee, or Kath. We are happy that she is free of her pain and illness, and with those who have gone before her. If there are schools in Heaven, Kathy will certainly be teaching a class.

A funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, December 19, 2013 in the Sky Rose Chapel at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California with interment immediately following. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.