Doris Pearl Kleas

Doris Pearl Schlick Kleas, 96, passed away peacefully at her home on July 1, 2019.  Living true to her name, Doris Pearl was indeed a rare gem.  She made friends easily and always had a jar of homemade soup ready should one of those many friends become ill or lose a loved one.

Doris was born in Wharton, TX on April 25,1923 to Armin Frederick and Ada Meyer Schlick.  Her father was an avid hunter and fisherman so Doris learned early how to clean and prepare whatever he brought home.  After graduation from Wharton High School, she attended Texas State College for Women in Denton but soon transferred to Sam Houston State Teachers College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. While at SHSTC, she was actively involved in many social functions including cheerleading, Alpha Delta Pi, president of the Caroline Belvin Literary Society and was voted All-College Favorite in 1945.

Doris married Robert Earl Kleas on August 28, 1946 and the couple joined her father in his business, Schlick Hardware, where her laughter could be heard throughout the store.  They continued to run the family business after her father’s death and finally retired from the then named Kleas Hardware in 2000 at the age of 77. During those years, Doris truly shined as a homemaker.  She loved to cook and entertain her family and friends.  The couple’s two children, Glenn and Jane, were the true beneficiaries of the fruits of her labor. Despite working six days a week, she prepared three wonderful meals each day and would frequently get up early to make hamburgers or fry chicken for their school lunches, which also, always included a homemade pickle.  Her holiday meals were legendary and she was able to prepare them to her family’s delight until the age of 90.  If all that wasn’t enough, Doris found time to be room mom, cub scout den leader, teach Sunday School at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, organize her neighborhood’s March of Dimes and take care of her aging mom. Doris led her family by example of her Christian faith and her favorite sayings of “this too shall pass” and “love you dearly” will be missed.

Doris was preceeded in death by her parents, husband and sisters Frances Schlick Boettcher and Wynelle Schlick Huebner.  Survivors include son Glenn Kleas and wife, Sharon, daughter Jane Kleas Rachunek, grandchildren Clint Kleas and wife, Tara, Adam Rachunek, Chad Kleas, Jenna Rachunek, and Phillip Kleas and wife, Lacey, along with great-grandchildren C. J. Kleas, Rylee Kleas and Jase Kleas.

A celebration of Doris’ life will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wharton on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at 2:00 pm, followed by interment at Wharton City Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Clint Kleas, Adam Rachunek, Chad Kleas, Phillip Kleas, C. J. Kleas and Jase Kleas.  Honorary pallbearers are Jenna Rachunek, Rylee Kleas, Dylan Johnston, Buck Boettcher, Schlick Boettcher, Roger Huebner, Taylor Huebner, Joe Terry Prasifka, Paul Overstreet, Jerry Sagehorn, Kirk Outlar, Travis Smith, Jr. and W. D. McMillan. 

The family would like to acknowledge the kind and compassionate care of Freda Jackson, Charlotte Bell, Stacy Gartica, Annette Irwin, Matagorda Nursing and Rehab and Houston Hospice of El Campo, especially nurse Cynthia.

For those who desire, memorial contributions can be made to:

St. Paul Lutheran Church

325 N East Avenue

Wharton, TX 77488.

Funeral services under the direction of Wharton Funeral Home.

Condolences may be left at whartonfuneralhome.com