Kristie Ann Kleis

Kristie Ann Kleis, 54, Columbia Heights, MN, passed away on July 4, 2026.  She was born January 28, 1972 in Fridley, MN to Kenneth and Yvonne (Staples) Kleis.

Kristie grew up in Mounds View, MN, the oldest of 3 children.  She graduated from Irondale High School in 1990 and went on to attend St. Cloud University.  Kristie worked as a server at RJ Riches, then at the Mermaid when her mom hired her.  She began her career working at Wells Fargo.  She worked in investments.  Her job brought her to St. Louis, MO, where she lived for 12 years.

Kristie was the life of the party.  She was a social butterfly and made many friends throughout her life.  She loved word searches, playing Wordle daily, and enjoyed dancing, even competing when she was younger.  She was also the “Temu Queen” and enjoyed online shopping.  The cancer medications Kristie was on made it very hard for her to sleep, so she was often up buying items online.  She was an avid gift-giver.  More packages are currently being delivered, most of them gifts for her family.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her mom, Yvonne Kleis; siblings, Tanya (Phil) LaFrenier and Casey Kleis; nieces and nephews, Ethan Kleis, Madelyn Kleis, Kayla (Ryan) Knapp, and Brandon (Kimberly) LaFrenier; best friend, Brandon Morris; cat, Callie; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her dad, Kenneth Kleis; and grandparents, Francis & Marie Staples and Lucille & Ron Nelson.

Memorial visitation will be from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026. There will be a short prayer service at 11:30 a.m.  A reception will follow, the time and location will be announced.