For her 50th wedding anniversary, Rosslyn "Roz" Shore Kleeman's family made T-shirts with her two favorite sayings: "Accomplish something" and "Time for a nap."
That contrast allowed Kleeman to advise influential politicians and public policy by day, while balancing a family at night.
"That's mom in a nutshell: driven to accomplish things, but also loved to relax," said her son, David Kleeman.
Roz Kleeman, of Rockville, Md., and formerly of Minneapolis, died July 18. She was 92.
In her early years, Kleeman developed a keen interest in politics like her lawyer father. She began her career by working for former Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey's campaign and helped found Minnesota's DFL Party in 1944.
While attending a labor convention in 1949, Kleeman met longtime Minneapolis Tribune reporter Dick Kleeman, who was covering the event. They married the following year.
Kleeman balanced her maternal duties with volunteerism, serving on several boards, such as the League of Women Voters. In 1966, the family moved to Washington, D.C., when Dick transferred to the Tribune's Washington bureau. Kleeman completed her education, becoming one of the first graduates of the University of Minnesota's University Without Walls, now the College of Continuing Education.
In Washington, Kleeman continued to rise in the civil service system, chairing committees and heading task forces. She instilled a sense of public service into all four of her children, said daughter Nancy Kleeman, who followed her mother's footsteps in working on DFL campaigns. Each of her kids later worked at nonprofit organizations, as well.
