Claus

Catherine Leona Claus, 94, of Butler, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023.

She was born on Oct. 10, 1928, to Leona and August Claus, right before the crash that heralded the Great Depression. Number one of 11 children, Kitty, as everyone knew her, was followed by Lawrence (Rita), Mary (Jack), Flo (Sonny), Shirley (Charles), Howard, Gus (Joyce), Klu (Peggy), Pinky, Charlie (Marie) and David (Ellie).

Kitty knew her parents longer than just about anyone we can recollect, and what a gift that was. She saw the 1930s come and go. She saw the advance of WWII and the perils of that crisis. She saw the peace and the destiny of a nation fulfilled.

She fell in love and married her husband of 42 years, Ronald August Reese (who died in April 1991), and they started a family of their own. Together they had five children, Karen (Tom), Barb (Edgar), Donna (Jack, Marty), Ron (Karen) and Michael (Teri). Each was raised with love, laughter and respect.

Kitty saw the turbulent ’60s, when men reached the moon and too many good men fell to the ground. She discoed through the ’70s, and became an empty nester in the ’80s. Over the next 25 years, she gained more and more grandchildren — 20 in all — along with 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She devoted herself to the occupation of mother and wife, along with other works along the way.

In the ’90s and 2000s she continued to shine brightly in the lives of everyone who knew her. Kitty’s hobbies and interests included bingo, penny poker, crossword puzzles, solitaire and family gatherings.

A devout Catholic, she attended St. Mary’s Glenshaw and Holy Sepulcher Glade Mills. She saw a lot and felt a lot. More importantly, she gave a lot — from hugs, kisses, smiles and prize bags to thoughtful words and, most importantly, unconditional love to all. She left us this day at the age of 94. We are so proud and grateful to say she was ours and we are hers.

CLAUS — Friends of Catherine Leona Claus, who died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday at SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Holy Sepulcher Catholic Church, 1304 E. Cruikshank Road, Butler. Private interment will be held in Lakewood Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be offered at www.schellhaasfh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.