Velma Claus

Velma Ruth Claus age 96 of Louisville, Kentucky
passed away July 26, 2017 at Jefferson Place
in Louisville.

She was born on May 21, 1921 in Honey Grove, Texas,
to Rev. G. Christian and Esther (Kaspar) Albers.

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, KS 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 on
December 26, 1943. They were blessed with 5 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, KY 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, IL, Margaret
(Rev Mark) Whitsett of Goshen, KY, John (Karen) Claus of Tempe, AZ;
son-in-law Harvey Hahn of Cary, IL; daughter-in-law Lorene Claus of
Tinley Park, IL; her sister Anita (Rev Allen) Kebschull of Pompton Plains,
NJ, sister-in-law, Jean Albers of Valparaiso, IN; 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 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 on Monday August 7th from
4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, August 8th at
Peace Lutheran Church from 10;00 a.m. through time of her funeral at
11:00 a.m, with Pastor 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, KY, Cedar Lake, LaGrange, KY,
or a charity of your choice.