Funeral Details

Ralla D. Klepak

December 20, 1936 - April 25, 2019

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 1:30 PM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Skokie Chapel
8851 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
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Clergy

Rabbi Alan Abramson
Congregation Anshe Motele

Interment

Shalom Memorial Park
1700 Rand Road
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
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Memorial Contributions

CVLS: Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
c/o Law Office of Miriam Solo
6538 North Sacramento Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60645




OBITUARY

Ralla Klepak, 82, died April 25, 2019 after a brief illness. Ralla, a legendary attorney, whose career accomplishments spanned many areas of the law, was well-known for her precedent-establishing struggles on behalf of the LGBTQ community and her tireless efforts in family law. Ralla, who attended Northwestern University for her undergraduate and post-graduate degrees, and John Marshall Law School for her J.D., received in 1964, began her professional legal career working with her father, Jack Klepak (now deceased), who introduced her to the non-text book practice of law, instilling in her the love for her profession which she never abandoned. For decades Klepak defended owners and employees of gay bars, as well as their patrons, against police raids and harassment for, starting in the 1960's when legal services for the LGBTQ community were almost non-existent. She also took on individual civil and criminal cases for people whom she believed were being ill-treated by the legal system, often stating that one of her chief concerns was to try and make sure the "system worked for everyone" or everyone "at least had the opportunity to have the best representation she could mount." Ralla's interests in social justice led to the development of a strong bond with Sister Margaret Traxler. She campaigned with Traxler, advocating for women's rights, freedom of choice and better treatment for women in prison throughout the United States. She championed same-sex-partner adoptions and helped make possible for surviving partners to inherit estates in the years before the legalization of gay marriage. Klepak offered her legal services in changing birth certificates and legal names for numerous transgender-clients. She defended gay servicemen in court martial cases and provided estate planning for those dying of complications stemming from AIDS. In 2017 Klepak was very proud to be inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame for her service commitments to that community. She was member of various legal organizations throughout her career, taught law at IIT Kent College of Law and was a tireless advocate for the rights of children in contentious family law matters, working up to the time of her death. She left no immediate survivors, but a legacy that will last as long as those who knew her walk this earth. Services will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 1:30 p.m. at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, Illinois, with internment following at Shalom Memorial Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the CVLS: Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, c/o Law Office of Miriam Solo, 6538 N. Sacramento Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60645. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

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Saying that I am devastated by this loss is an understatement. While going down memory lane and thinking of when I met Ralla, I realized that we met approximately 37 to 38 years ago. We lived in the same neighborhood and shared mutual friends. As time went on, we began to socialize. We had similar views on politics and more importantly we loved food. Ralla and I developed a relationship where we agreed and disagreed, were happy and sad, argued, laughed but more importantly, we accepted each other with all of our flaws. We went to shows, the theater, dinner, celebrated birthdays, Mother's Day... Sometimes I picked her up and some times she did. Ralla was a Latina at heart and she loved Puerto Rico where she had lived for a period of time. Ralla was not fully bilingual, but she understood just about everything spoken in Spanish. More importantly, she understood the culture and was very accepting of everyone. We loved going to different restaurants and some times she would suggest that we dine at the Taste of Cuba in Lincolnwood. Ralla was just a great person in every way and it is very difficult for me to accept that she is no longer with us. I feel an irreplaceable void. Ralla was a lot of fun to be with. Ralla's knowledge and expertise was not confined to law as Ralla would speak about music, art, politics... She always had great stories of things that she had done in her life. She was current on world events. She was an avid reader. She was a lot of fun to be with.

Elena Duarte
April 28, 2019
My dearest Ralla, my heart is broken, cannot imagine our winters in St Petersburg without you, sunsets in Pass-A-Grill will be ever so gray even with a cloudless sky. That evening call: "where are we going for dinner tonight??? is already missed. Our 55 years of sisterhood will always be the greatest treasure until we meet again. Love you, Sylvia

Sylvia deJesus
April 29, 2019
This is the rest of my tribute to my dear friend, Ralla.

Ralla was Ralla, unique and irreplaceable. Ralla was a mentor, an advocate and a good friend. Ralla helped anyone and everyone. She gave of herself and when an attorney called her, whether she knew that attorney personally or not, she was always willing to give her advise and she was the best at it. Whatever your question, she had "answers" and gave you sound advise. When an attorney was faced with a difficult issue not knowing which way to proceed, it was common to hear another attorneys say "have you talked with Ralla?" or "what does Ralla say about it?" or simply "call Ralla". Ralla drafted her own pleading and she was a perfectionist. She was the perfect attorney to represent children particularly where the parents were not cooperating and/or playing games. Ralla would take charge, have a hard talk with the parents and control the situation. How can I say adios to my dear friend? Her memory will always be with me.

Elena Duarte
April 28, 2019
Ralla was an amazing woman. I met her a decade ago and we connected immediately. She was a vigorous defender of children. She was so easy to love. That's why she was loved by many. The last conversation that I had face to face with Ralla was her telling me that she was adopting me as her granddaughter. The legal field has suffered a great loss.

Natalia Moore
April 30, 2019