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Mary Louise Klas ’52, JD, St. Kate's alumna and trustee emerita, passed away Friday, June 9 at 93 years old. 

Klas graduated Phi Beta Kappa from St. Kate's with a degree in English in 1952. Her academic excellence in high school earned her a full scholarship from the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to attend St. Kate’s. After completing her degree, Mary Lou worked in the C.I.A. as an administrative assistant and then traveled to Vienna. She returned to Minnesota to work for Governor Orville Freeman before deciding to get her law degree.

After graduating from law school, Klas had an illustrious career in the Minnesota legal profession, clearing the way for the many women who followed her. She and her late husband Dan raised five children and for many years ran a law firm together. In 1986, she was appointed a Ramsey County judge — the first woman appointed to this position — a role in which she successfully advocated for improving the judicial system for victims of domestic violence. 

At 70, the age at which judges face mandatory retirement, Klas continued her advocacy work on a volunteer basis for the next decade. Drawing on her years of experience in legal reform work and judicial training, she assisted human rights advocates in Central and Eastern Europe in drafting new laws and establishing legal systems to combat domestic violence. 

Klas stayed connected to St. Kate’s over the years, serving as a trustee 1971–73 and 1983–92 and receiving the title of trustee emerita in 2013. She also served as Alumni Association president from 1971–73. She was the speaker at the 1988 December commencement, where she was awarded an honorary St. °µÍø½ûÇø doctorate degree, and at the 2007 December commencement. Many University community members know Klas as a devoted Katie in a family full of Katies. 

Klas is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen Klas Kennedy ’81; Kathy Klas Thames ’82, MS, RDN (assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics at St. Kate’s); Barbara Klas ’84, JD; Patricia Klas Montalbano, PhD (assistant professor of English at St. Kate’s); and son John Klas. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Meyer; 13 grandchildren — including St. Kate's alumna Alouise May Thames ’10, MAED’15, Phi Beta Kappa grad — and a great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Daniel Klas, and parents, William and Marion May.