We offer this tribute in loving memory of Rev. Dr. Kenneth Richard Klaus, who blessed our congregation with his gift for sharing the love of Christ and God’s Word. Pastor Ken Klaus served Bethlehem Lutheran Church as Pastor pro tem the year before he was called to his heavenly home.
Pastor Klaus shared his extensive experience and wisdom freely, with an open heart and unmistakable enthusiasm. We can still hear his joyful refrain at the end of each service, “Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!”
Reverend Klaus was richly blessed with a beautiful family: his wife and helpmate, Pamela; three wonderful children, Kurt, Kirsten, and Kristianna; and their spouses and children.
After graduating from Springfield Seminary, he served as a pastor in Edgemont and Hot Springs, South Dakota; Danville, Illinois; Lakefield and Chaska, Minnesota; and Dallas, Texas. For his work among the Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, he was given a Native American name by the granddaughter of Chief Red Cloud.
In 2002, he became a speaker for *The Lutheran Hour*. Even in retirement, he continued to speak on that broadcast and wrote Daily Devotions and other publications.
In December 2005, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia University in Mequon and in 2014 was selected as Alumni of the Year at that institution.