Rev. Ken Klaus
October 20 1948 – March 23, 2023

Kenneth Richard Klaus, son of blacksmith Richard and homemaker, Jeanette, was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois in October of 1948.  He was doubly blessed with a parochial education.  Doubly blessed because of the knowledge received and because there he met his wonderful and God-given helpmeet, Pamela. In August of 1970 they were married at their home church.  Their marriage was blessed with three very special children: Kurt, who is married to Jodi and is a Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minnesota. Kirsten, a school teacher who is married to Jeff Lenzen in Chaska, Minnesota and Kristianna who is an occupational therapist and married to James Boren in Mabank, Texas.

After he graduated from Springfield Seminary, he served as Pastor in Edgemont and Hot Springs, South Dakota; Danville, Illinois; Lakefield and Chaska, Minnesota and Dallas, Texas.  For his work among the Lakota of Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, he was given a Native American name by the granddaughter of Chief Red Cloud.  In 2002, he became speaker for The Lutheran Hour.  During his time on the Lutheran Hour, stations increased from under 800 to 1,380.  In retirement he continued to speak on that broadcast, write Daily Devotions and other publications.  In December of 2005, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia University in Mequon and in 2014 was selected as Alumni of the Year at that same institution.

Preceded in death by his parents, Pastor was welcomed into heaven by his Savior on March 23, 2023.

Service Information:

Funeral
11am March 31, 2023
St. Peter Lutheran Church, Gun Barrel City, Texas
Officiating the service: Pastor D. R. Nelson and Pastor Kurt Klaus

Those unable to attend may watch the live-streaming accessible at   https://www.facebook.com/events/1365925064241386

Memorial Service
11am April 11, 2023
St. John's Lutheran Church, Chaska, Minnesota

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be directed towards Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1515 Loop 256, Palestine, Texas 75801, Saint Peter Lutheran Church, 130 Luther Lane, Gun Barrel City, Texas 75156, and Bethesda Lutheran School, 1537 Baltimore Ave., Hot Springs, South Dakota, 57747.