Sandra S. Kalas 1940-2021

She was born Aug. 10, 1940, in Greene, the daughter of Joseph and Ermyntrude Garver Kiewlich.

Sandra was married to George Kalas on July 12, 1975; the two lived in Colebrook Township for their 46-year marriage.

Sandra graduated from Greene High School and from St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Cleveland and earned a master’s degree. She taught nursing at Kent State University and taught emergency room nursing at Trumbull Memorial School of Nursing for many years.

One of Sandra’s greatest loves was traveling. Sandra lived in Germany, working as a nurse and traveling Europe with her brother, Leif, who was stationed there in the U.S. Army. She traveled around the world with Chapman University, serving as a nurse onboard a cruise ship for a program called “Semester at Sea.” Sandra had been to all 50 states in the U.S.A. and all 88 counties in Ohio. She traveled abroad to over 100 countries, some highlighted trips included South America, Israel, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia and United Arab Emirates.

Sandra was also an active member of her community. She was on the Grand Valley Friends of the Library Committee. She served as president on the Greene Alumni Association. She was a trustee for Colebrook Township. She belonged to Colebrook United Methodist Church, where she loved to share her ideas about growing the congregation and improving the church.

Her other hobbies included spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandnieces and -nephews who brought her a lot of joy. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing extensive genealogy. Sandra had traced her family ancestors back to the Mayflower Pilgrims and before.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, George Kalas; her brother, Leif Kiewlich and his children, David and Daniel Kiewlich; her sister, Linda (Jim) Corbett and children, Adam (Sarah) Corbett, with Caleb, Clair, Cooper and Clark and Eric (Tetiana) Corbett, with Liev, Illyana and Eliy; her children, George (Janet) Kalas and Cathy (Buz) Strong; her grandchildren, Rachel (Josh), Joe (Colleen), Lisa (Aaron), Megan (Eric) and Marc; and her great-grandson, Michael.

A private service will be held for family and friends.

Following Sandra’s wishes, her ashes will be interred in Greene Township Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or contributions, Sandra’s family is asking to honor her legacy, by spreading light and love to others.

Condolences may be made at painefuneralhome.com.

(special notice)