Christina Suzanne Klein's Obituary
CHRISTINA SUZANNE KLEIN (WILLS) age 35, of Dallas, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 21,2011. Christina was born in Grayling, Michigan on May 14, 1975, the daughter of Rita (Andries) and Phillip Wills. Christina spent most of her childhood in Traverse City, Michigan along with her six brothers and sisters. Christina graduated from St. Francis High School in 1993 where her classmates cast a near unanimous vote to crown her homecoming queen. During her college years, she came back home and proudly served as the 1995 National Cherry Queen to represent the area’s cherry industry. In 1997, she earned her bachelors degree in Psychology and Communications from Albion College in Michigan. Upon graduation, Christina married her childhood sweetheart, Derek Klein of Frankfort, Michigan. Together, they have raised three precious children; daughter Caroline (age 8), Carson (age 6), and Michael (age 3). Before Christina devoted herself full-time to motherhood, she excelled professionally as the office manager/executive assistant at Acosta in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During her husband’s Army assignment at Ft. Hood, near Killeen, TX, she worked as an admissions counselor at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX. Christina was a big believer in contributing to the various communities in which she lived, serving as a volunteer in many capacities. While living in Frankfort, she served on the board of the Republican Women of Benzie County, was an active member of Chapter EY of the PEO Sisterhood, and served on the board for the Betsie Bay Coop Nursery School. During many summers, she served on various committees for the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Most recently, she was an active volunteer at her children’s school, Moss Haven Elementary in Dallas, TX. Christina has always felt that spending good, quality time with her family and friends was important; it was always her top priority. During the summer months, you could find her on the beach, walking the sand dunes, jumping off the pier, organizing beach fires, watching sunsets with Derek and friends, or just laying on a blanket “soaking up the rays”. She also cherished traveling and had many wonderful memories with her family. Christina was always there for family and friends extending a helpful hand or lending a compassionate ear. Her kindness, her honesty, and her beautiful heart were her strengths and her trademark. She certainly left everyone who had met her with a smile on their face. Christina is preceded in death by her parents, Rita Andries and Phillip Wills. She is survived by her husband Derek Klein, three children, Caroline, Carson, and Michael; sisters, Lisa Wills, (Naples, FL), and Beth Wills-Hohbein, (Joel-Carol Stream, IL), brothers, Phillip Wills, (Marla-Troy, Ml), Paul Wills, (Kristyn-Ferndale, MI) Marc Wills, (Ashley-Roscommon, MI), and Anthony Wills, (Kristen-Estero, FL). She also is survived by many nieces and nephews. In addition, Christina is survived by her father-and-mother-in-law, Tim and Kateri Klein (Frankfort, MI), as well as brother-in-law, Kyle Klein, (Sarah-West Bloomfield, MI), and sister-in-law, Kati Schutt, (Andrew-Grand Rapids, MI) During the visitation at Lake Highland United Methodist Church on Friday, February 11, 2011, the family invites you to gather from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. to join in blessings and tributes at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and visit with the family from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held this summer in Traverse City, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Klein Children’s Education Fund. Checks may be made payable to Robert W. Baird with a note for the Klein Children’s Education Fund. Please mail to: Robert W. Baird ATTN: Ed Schindler 1001 Bay Street Traverse City, MI 49684 Hotel Accommodations are available listed below. The Westin Park Central, Dallas (At the Westin Park Central, ask for “Klein” block of rooms – $99.00 per night) (972) 385-3000 12720 Merit Drive Dallas, TX 75251 Other nearby hotels: Marriott Courtyard (214) 739-2500 10325 North Central Expressway, Dallas Hyatt Place Dallas / Park Central (972) 458-1224 12411 N Central Expressway, Dallas
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