Nelson Klaus Sr.

DE SOTO, Mo. -- Nelson C. Klaus Sr., 92, of De Soto died Monday, April 25, 2016, at The Villas.

He was born Aug. 29, 1923, in Perryville, Missouri, the son of Oscar F. and Ola Jane Seabaugh Klaus. He married Mildred DeClue, and she preceded him in death.

Nelson was a 1941 graduate of De Soto High School and had been elected to the school's hall of fame. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he played football for Don Farout.

During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corp. While serving in the Marine Corps, he attended Purdue University, where he was Big 10 Champion in the discus and shot put.

Nelson was a past board member of the Lancer Endowment at St. Pius (LEAP) and was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

Survivors included two sons, Dr. Nelson (Vicki) Klaus Jr. of Wilmington, North Carolina, and James (Gina) Klaus of De Soto; two daughters, Jacquelyn (Rich Filer) Moran of Crystal City, Missouri, and Debra (Kevin) Govero of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren Dr. Nelson Klaus III, Kirsten Jackson, Emily Moran and Brandon, Brian and Koby Klaus; and great-grandchildren Preston, Colin, Maci and Beatrix.

Along with his wife, Nelson was preceded in death by a daughter, Sharon Klaus; a son-in-law, Richard Moran; two sisters, Jewel Wilson and Eulene DeClue; and a brother, Eugene "Bud" Klaus.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in De Soto, with the Rev. Alaxander Anderson officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in De Soto.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Lancer Endowment at St. Pius (LEAP) Board or in the form of Masses.