Klea Rae (Sant) Metcalf

Klea Rae Sant Metcalf passed away in her home surrounded by family on January 28, 2025.

Klea was born on April 21, 1937, in Pocatello, Idaho. She grew up with two older siblings and her parents, Archie and Evelyn Sant. Klea graduated from Pocatello High in 1955, and was a member of Pep Club and National Honors Society, earning a scholarship to attend business school at Idaho State University.

She met her husband, Darwin Dean Metcalf, while attending Idaho State University. They were married on January 30, 1959, and had four children, Jeffrey, Michelle, Douglas, and Amie. They relocated to Idaho Falls in 1964 from Pocatello.

Klea learned to play the piano and organ from a family friend and would practice both instruments when she finished cleaning the church with her father. She loved to have music in the home and enjoyed accompanying the piano for barbershop quartets, childrens' choruses, and soloists. Additionally, she directed and accompanied two musicals, "A Cricket in Times Square" and "The Sound of Music." When asked where she had studied music, "Junior Sunday School Ward Chorister at your service."

Another passion of Klea's was Christmas. She loved the season--baking cookies, making candy, tying big, beautiful bows for packages, caroling, and decorating the tree and house. Her favorite thing was to dress up and embody the role of Mrs. Santa Claus. Mrs. Claus would visit homes, take holiday treats to the children and relay the story of Mrs. Santa and the Sugar Plum Sleigh. After Klea retired, she partnered with the Shop With a Cop program and "Mrs. Claus" had the opportunity to arrive at K-Mart in a variety of ways. Her favorite arrival was in a helicopter and she was able to observe the stream of police cars with lights and sirens from above.

In 1980, Klea returned to her secretarial work as a Magistrate Court Clerk for Bonneville County. She worked in the small claims, estate, and juvenile departments over the years. She was precise with her forms and paperwork, hard-working, efficient, dedicated to the professional setting, and enjoyed taping hearings and taking minutes in the courtroom. Klea retired from the County in 2002.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Hospice of Eastern Idaho. Their care, expertise, and professionalism while assisting Klea in her final steps of her life journey are greatly appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to a charity of your choice.

Klea is survived by her three children, Michelle Metcalf, Doug (Jenifer) Metcalf, Amie (Christopher) Hoagland; four grandsons, Matthew, Jacob, Nathan, and Wyatt; one granddaughter, Mallory; and one great-grandson, Landon.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Evelyn; siblings, "Bud" and Donna; Darwin; and her son, Jeffrey.

There are no immediate funeral services planned at this time. The family will hold a Celebration of Life from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, followed with a brief graveside service at Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.