Harry John Klaus of North Branch, MI, and more recently Brighton, MI, passed away from complications of pneumonia on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the age of 86.
Harry was born to Charles and Elizabeth Klaus on October 4, 1933 in North Branch. He was the youngest of seven Klaus children. Harry graduated from North Branch High School and enlisted into the Army. While in basic training in Fort Pendleton, WA, he met and married Elaine (Jones) Klaus. In 1959, they moved back to North Branch, MI to raise a family. He worked most of his adult life at Lapeer Metal Products as a tool and die maker and what came to be known as Klaus’ Beef Orchard. He and Elaine moved to Brighton, Michigan in 2016, when Harry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Those who knew Harry would likely agree he was a working man’s man. Beneath his working man exterior, he had a tender heart and found enjoyment in watching his sons and grandchildren play any kind of sports. Harry attended as many soccer, basketball, and football games as he could fit in. He and Elaine enjoyed traveling and spent time traveling to Oregon, Hawaii, England, Amsterdam, Spain, the Caribbean, and spent many winters after retirement in Desert Hot Springs, CA.
Harry is survived by his sisters, Virginia Snoblen and Liz Hodgkinson; his sons, Tony (wife Terri) and Brian (wife Jennifer) Klaus; five grandchildren, Taylor (husband Chris) Beach, Jaclyn Klaus, McKenna (husband Marcus) Whittaker, Brendan Klaus, and Justin Klaus; and three great-grandchild, Sutton, Oakland, and Willow.
Harry was preceded in death by Elaine in June 2018. Both Harry and Elaine chose to be cremated and will be buried together in North Branch.
A funeral service for Harry will be held at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 6645 Washington St, North Branch, on Friday, February 7, at 11 AM. Visitation will begin at 10 AM at the church. Internment and then a luncheon will immediately follow the service.
Condolences can be sent to klausb55@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the University of Michigan Health System to support Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders research – 318779. Checks may be made payable to the “University of Michigan” and mailed to the UMHS Office of Development, Attn: Memorial Gifts, 1000 Oakbrook, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6815. You may also call 734-764-6777 or online at https://leadersandbest.umich.edu/find/#!/give/basket/fund/318779 to make your gift.
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