Edward M. Klaus

Edward "Eddie" M. Klaus, age 63, of West, passed away early Friday morning, April 3, 2015 at his residence. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, with Rev. Paul Hudson, Rev. Ed Karasek and Rev. Anthony Odiong as celebrants. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. Eddie was born September 29, 1951 in Waco, the son of Edward J. and Margaret Mary (Smajstrla) Klaus. He attended St. Mary's School and was a 1970 graduate of West High School. On August 22, 1970, Eddie was united in marriage to Charlotte Hurtt in West. He worked as an automatic sprinkler fitter and was a member of Local Union 669 Sprinkler Fitters Association for over 37 years. Eddie completed his certification as a fire protection sprinkler fitter through Penn State University. After his retirement in 2007, he worked for Tymco in Waco and then was employed in the meat department of Wal-Mart in Bellmead until 2014. Eddie was a lifelong member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption in West, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. He and Charlotte served as a team couple for Worldwide Marriage Encounters for over seven years. Eddie was involved in the CCE program at St. Mary's devoting many hours of service including drive thru stations, First Holy Communions and Confirmations. He was a member of K.J.T. No. 31 of West. Eddie was also a member of the ACTS community. He was among a small group of men that devoted many weekends developing the West Baseball Complex. Eddie always had a smile and a friendly wave. He was very involved with his family and enjoyed waterskiing, camping, watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Eddie's favorite pastime was listening to music and playing lotto. He had a special love for his two dogs, Tinker and PeeWee. Eddie is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Starlin and Nancy Hurtt; and brothers-in-law, Jerry Rydel, Bobby Hurtt and Norman Sulak. Survivors include his beloved wife of 44 years, Charlotte Klaus of West; a son, Kyle Klaus and wife Lori of West; three daughters, Kimberley Foitek and husband Brian of West, Kayla Pechacek and husband Eric of Axtell and Kristel Reed and husband Robin of Mansfield; sisters, Dorothy Sulak, Willie Rydel and Cindi Sulak; sister-in-law, Mary Hurtt; grandchildren, Addyson and Avery Foitek, Kylie and Eli Pechacek, Emily and Claire Reed, and Kade and Kason Klaus; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Avery Foitek, Kade Klaus, Kason Klaus, Derrick Hurtt, Albert Olsovsky, Mick Sulak and Dave Sulak. Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fuzzy Friends of Waco or to St. Mary's School Endowment Fund.