In Memory of Bridget "Billie" Klus

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the St. Martin’s Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2016, at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church, of Odebolt, Iowa. A rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. with the vigil service to follow on Monday, May 30, 2016 at the St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. The Christensen - Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Bridget Mary (Roche) Klus was born in Co. Limerick, Ireland on February 7, 1920, the eighth of twelve children of Michael and Ellen (O'Brien) Roche. She worked in London, England before World War II, and during the war she worked at DeHaviland Aircraft in Hatfield, England, where she met her husband, Vernon J. Klus, then serving in the 8^th Air Force as part of the Army Air Corps. They were married at St. Theresa's Church on May 29, 1945, just 3 weeks after V-E Day. She emigrated to the United State in 1946, where she made her home in Odebolt with her new husband.

They were the parents of five children: Margaret, Paul, Diane, Michael, and John (who died shortly after birth), grandparents to 12, great-grandparents to 10, and great-great grandparents to 1. 

Bridget worked at Horn Memorial Hospital from the early 60's until 1988, when she turned in her uniform, but remained on the Horn Hospital Board for several more years. She had started as a nurse's aide and ended as Director of Central Service and Head Purchasing Agent for hospital supplies. She was active during her life in Odebolt as a member of St. Martin's Church and Ladies Society, as well as the American Legion auxiliary. She was a charter member of the 509 Club, and she and Vernon played cards for many years as part of a couples club that met on Sunday evenings. After she retired, she learned to play bridge and participated in several local clubs. She was a skilled knitter and her talents were frequently called into use for door prizes, raffles and gifts to friends via her hand towels, dishcloths and blankets. She was a good cook, and also creative in her use of ingredient combinations if anything was in short supply. Her grandchildren fondly remember a peach-gooseberry pie. After her retirement, it was a rare funeral at St. Martin's that didn't offer a salad or cake from her kitchen. She wasn't a complainer, and even when her health was failing, she was grateful for her blessings. It didn't take much to make her laugh and people were eager to oblige. She had a hearty and responsive laugh.

She was proud to be the last living member of her generation of the Klus and Roche families.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Vernon in 1990, and her siblings: Johanna, Mary, Kathleen, Jack, Eileen, Michael, Patrick, Martin, Margaret, Joseph and William.

She is also survived by her four children and their families:  Margaret (the late John) Sohm of Mequon, WI. Paul (Angela) Klus of Mason City; Diane (Tom) Gardalen of Holstein, and Michael ( Susan) Klus of Des Moines.  Also grandchildren Nicole (Andrew) Sohm DeGuire and Bridget (Joe) Richlen of Milwaukee, WI., Tony Sohm of San Francisco, CA; Erika Klus of Mason City, Elizabeth (Seth) Klus of Johnston, Alexandra Klus of Firenze, Italy; Carren (Tom) Evans of St. Augustine, FL, Brian Gardalen of Holstein, Alicia (Scott) Clark of Lake View;  Katherine ( Andrew) Shelton and Derek Klus of Waterloo and Maegan Klus of Ames.  Great-grandchildren:  Eileen, Liam, Eliana, Penelope, Kaitlyn,   Jacob, Jordan, Tayler, Kennedey, Kaydyn and great-great granddaughter Marlei. Additionally she was a foster grandmother to many and has numerous nieces and nephews on four continents.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Good Samaritan for their devoted care, as well as Hospice Care Initiative and Char-Mac of Holstein.  Memorials may be made to the Odebolt Library or the donor's choice.                                 

                                                          A Mother's Love is a Blessing!