Velma Ruth Claus

Velma Ruth Claus, 96, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away July 26, 2017 at Jefferson Place in Louisville. She was born May 21, 1921 in Honey Grove, Texas, to the Rev. G. Christian and Esther (Kaspar) Albers.

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Velma attended school at St James Lutheran School where she was taught by her father, (all eight grades). She graduated from Honey Grove High School and then attended St. John College in Winfield, Kansas where she prepared to be a Lutheran parish worker. She taught school in Winfield and then relocated to Rogers City where she became the first woman teacher at St. John Lutheran School.

She married John W. Claus December 26, 1943. They were blessed with five children, Richard, Anita, Ruth, Margaret and John.

Velma was an active member at St. John Lutheran Church and later at Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers City where she served in many areas including Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, choir member and church organist (until age 87). She loved her family and talking about her Saviour and Lord, Jesus.

Velma enjoyed gardening, birding, quilting, crossword puzzles, writing poetry and making music. Velma has lived in Louisville where she continued sewing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Her faith remained the center of her life.

She is survived by her children, Ruth (Jim) Biggs of Buckley, Illinois, Margaret (the Rev. Mark) Whitsett of Goshen, Kentucky,
John (Karen) Claus of Tempe, Arizona; son-in-law, Harvey Hahn of Cary, Illinois; daughter-in-law, Lorene Claus of Tinley Park, Illinois; her sister, Anita (the Rev. Allen) Kebschull of Pompton Plains, New Jersey; sister-in-law, Jean Albers of Valparaiso, Indiana; 17 grandchildren, Carrie (Jason) Stevens, Ruth Anne (James) Laird, Timothy and Joshua Claus, Joel (Kate) Hahn, Sarah (Eric) Kaiser, Rebecca (Nolan) Bello, Amy (Glenn) Jones, Johanna (Peter) Bayles, Christa (Andrew) Overbeck, Aaron (Katharine) Whitsett, Emily (Dustin) Pickett, Katie (Matthew Eisenzimmer) Whitsett, Heather (Paul) Hebert, John-Mark Whitsett, Alexandria Claus and Leah Claus. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; oldest son, Richard; daughter, Anita; sister and brother-in-law, Gertrude and Fred Meyer; brother and sister-in-law, the Rev. Victor and Anne Albers; brother and sister-in-law, Reinhold and Dolly Albers; sister and

brother-in-law, Irma and Hubert Voth; and
brother, Clarence Albers. She was also preceded in death by her twin brother, Walter.

Friends may visit at the Beck Funeral Home Monday, August 7 from 4 until 8 p.m. Visitation will resume Tuesday, August 8 at Peace Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. through time of her funeral at 11 a.m. with the Rev.  J. Derek Riddle officiating.

Interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church Scholarship Fund, Our Savior Lutheran School, Louisville, Kentucky; Cedar Lake, LaGrange, Kentucky or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in care of the Newcomer Funeral Home, Middletown, Kentucky and Beck Funeral Home, Rogers City.