JUNE 23, 1936 – JULY 25, 2024
88 YEARS OLD.
Lovingly remembered as a wonderful sister, wife, mother, grandmother, gardener & farmer
“Jesus said unto her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life, even though they die.’ John 11:25,26.
Eleanor Pauline Klaus (nee Fritzler) of Didsbury, Alberta, beloved wife of the late Gus Klaus, passed away at Olds Long Term Care on July 25 at the age of 88.
Eleanor was born on June 23, 1936 in Vulcan, Alberta. Eleanor, the third of five children to Jacob and Pauline Fritzler, spent her childhood on the family farm near Champion, Alberta. After attending Harmony and Champion schools, Eleanor moved to Calgary to check out city life. Eleanor sang alto in various ensembles, played piano and vibraharp, and she loved music so much that she and her sister Lorraine cut several LPs at a recording studio. While in Calgary, Eleanor began a career with Calgary Power as an accounting and payroll clerk. It was during this time, Eleanor caught the attention of Gus to then marry on November 11, 1955, spending 65 years as husband and wife. Being called back to farm life, Eleanor and Gus purchased a farm near Park Lake in 1962. In addition to being Gus’ farming partner, Eleanor worked over twenty-five years at the Credit Bureau(Equifax) in Lethbridge as a credit and collections clerk. Looking to leave irrigation country, in 1986 Eleanor and Gus moved their farming operations to Didsbury. Eleanor then worked for the Royal Bank in Didsbury, and then in Olds until 1996.
Eleanor was very organized and energetic – growing huge vegetable gardens and beautiful flower gardens. She was an amazing cook and her baking surpassed all. She was a baker extraordinaire – pies, butterhorns, krebble, desserts, and most notably Christmas cookies. She and Gus loved to travel when they had time, often enjoying vacationing with her sister Donna and brother-in-law Lorenz. Eleanor was also an avid hockey fan(Oilers), but more so she was a devout and faithful Christian, wife, mom, grandma, sister and friend.
Having now left this earth to be with her heavenly father and those loved ones who have preceded her, Eleanor is survived by her two children: daughter, Karen (Darrell) Hitchings of Edmonton and son, Kevin of Didsbury; her two treasured granddaughters, Diane and Hailey; as well as her siblings Emil (Eileen), Lorraine, Marvin(Marlene) and Donna(Lorenz), numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, etc…
Eleanor had a quiet soul, with a steadfast faith that translated to a life of commitment to her family and God. Eleanor lived life to the fullest and will be missed dearly by her loved ones. We are forever grateful for her time on this earth.
An outdoor memorial tribute service was held at Westerdale Cemetery, Olds, Ab on Tuesday, July 30 at 11am, followed by a light luncheon at Westerdale Community Hall. If desired, memorial donations in Eleanor’s honor may be made to Samaritan’s Purse Canada @ www.smaritanspurse.ca or the Alberta Lung Association @ www.ablung.ca. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
