Curt Claus

(Written by Curt Claus) Born May 28th, 1926, age 98. Curt is survived by his loving daughters: Pastor Cristy Schoob (Rev. Dr. David Schoob) of Trinity Lutheran Church, West Bend WI; and Carrie Claus (Robert Claus) of Germantown, WI. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Curt (Emily Thornton) and Nicholas Schoob and Blake and Connor (Anna Baumgartner) Claus; great granddaughter Sydney; nephew David (Suzanne) Fisher and niece Amy Fisher Moore (Nicholas Moore) and other relatives and friends. Curt was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years Betty (Fass) Claus, cherished sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Robert Fisher, his parents Curt and Florence Claus and “his best buddy Boone – we rescued each other”. Curt was one of the few remaining graduates of the June 1944 class of Rufus King High School. He served in the US Air Force from 1944 to 1948 and graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1951. He then entered a funeral service apprenticeship and became a funeral director at the former Fass Funeral Home in Shorewood from which he retired on the 50th anniversary of being licensed. He was active in the Glendale/River Hills PTA and served on the school board. For over 60 years he was a member of the former Silver Spring Masonic Lodge #337 F&AM, serving as master in 1990 and 1991. He continued his membership when it merged to form George Washington 1776 #337 F&AM. Curt was a 65-year member of Cudworth American Legion Post #23. He was a member of Great Lakes Sport Fishermen – his boat was The Fishin’ Mortician. Curt was also a longtime member of the Shorewood Men’s Club, serving as President and longtime Secretary. He also cherished his university fraternity Alpha Gamma Rho, his longtime membership in the North Shore Masonic Chapter #90 and His membership in Fox Point Lutheran Church. Curt had fond memories of fishing Lake Michigan as well as many successful fishing and hunting trips to Montana and Onterio Canada. He reveled in his large garden and in sharing its produce. He also enjoyed following Betty as she played National Senior Women’s Tennis tournaments around the country, earning several gold trophy balls. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, March 13 at 6:00pm at Fox Point Lutheran Church, 7510 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Fox Point. There will be a visitation from 4:00pm to 6:00pm and a light dinner will be held at 6:30 following worship. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Trinity Lutheran Church (140 N. 7th Ave, West Bend, WI 52095) or Fox Point Lutheran Church would be deeply appreciated. In Curt’s own words: “God finally found a need for me in a different place and time. I was ready to go”.

Curt Claus

May 28, 1926 - February 8, 2025