Obituaries in Green Bay, WI | Green Bay Press-Gazette (2024)

Russell P. Klaus, 52, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024 after a 10+ year struggle with metastatic colon cancer. I was born to John P. 'Jack' and Jill M. (Lund) Klaus, at St. Mary's Hospital in Green Bay, WI on September 12, 1971. My parents provided me a Catholic School Education, and I graduated from Premontre High School in 1989. I completed my formal education at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay via graduation with a bachelor's degree in December 1993. I was blessed to join the Schneider family as an employee in November 1995 and am proud of the fact that I maintained continuous employment with that wonderful company for almost 30 years. I cannot thank all my friends and family at Schneider for the great relationships we've formed over these many years.

On July 1, 1995, I was blessed to marry the love of my life, Jennifer Jo (Tingley) Klaus. During our 25 years of marriage, our family was enhanced by the addition of our three children - Zachary, Devan, and Ella. Our marriage ended just shy of our twenty-fifth anniversary in June 2020, and my greatest remaining regret in life was the loss of this marriage and the damage it did to my beloved children. I hope and pray that the good and fond memories outweigh any bad I leave behind for my ex-wife and children. Our family was forever affected by the loss of our still-born son, Noah, who I look forward to embracing in the next realm.

In addition to the great joy I found in my work and family, my hobbies included the study of history, and anything having to do with professional sports teams in Wisconsin (Packers, Bucks & Brewers). My favorite topic in history was World War 2, and I spent many years collecting World War 2 memorabilia brought back by our brave veterans after victory in Europe in May 1945. I am hopeful my oldest son, Zach, will enjoy the collection I've amassed for him half as much as I enjoyed building it. Another piece of history I found fascinating was the story of the Titanic. I was also a movie buff all my life - having worked my first job at the Stadium Cinema at age 16. I became a rabid Packers fan when I was introduced to the heart attack Pack in 1989 by Packer kicker Chris Jacke. Along with supporting the team by never missing a game, I also take great pride in having joined the ranks of the Packer Stockholder community during the 1997 Packers stock sale. As I write this obituary, the Packers have just completed an amazing 2023 campaign, and I fully expect Jordan Love and company to bring a Super Bowl or two home to title town in the very near future. Go Pack!

I am survived by the mother of my children, Jennifer Jo (Tingley) Klaus; our children, Zachary (and his long-term girlfriend, Nicole), Devan (and his long-term girlfriend, Sydney) and Ella. I am further survived by my mother, Jill M. (Lund) Klaus; my brothers, John (Lynn) Klaus and Kelly Klaus. I was blessed with four nieces and one nephew/godson who all survive me: Jennifer (Ben) Naze, Katie Klaus, Dani (Zach) Munger, Stephanie (Eric) Zwiers, Andrew J. Klaus. More recently, our family has been blessed with a number of great nieces and nephews. I am further survived by several beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

I was preceded in death by my father, John P. Klaus; a still-born son, Noah, as well as all my grandparents, many aunts and uncles and a few cousins and second-cousins.

No one chooses to fight a long and unrelenting disease like cancer; however, I cannot depart this life without acknowledging the blessing I had through the journey of a great care team. Starting with my primary care physician, Dr. Mark Jenson, of the Dousman Clinic, who first diagnosed my disease and set in motion a massive and competent group of care providers who included: Dr. Scott Ruggles, Dr. Steven Gerndt, Dr. Mark Welnick, Dr. Hassan Tahsildar (primary chemo Oncologist), Dr. Jani Cook (Bellin Cancer Team - PA), Dr. Charlie Pan (Radiation Oncologist) - all assisted by the best Pharmacist in the Bellin network, James Zabel. I cannot put into words how much the staff, nurses and providers at the Bellin Cancer Team meant to me throughout the course of my journey. On the spiritual side, I was blessed by the prayers and well-wishes of Father Jack Harper and Father Tim Shillcox. Finally, I would like to thank Unity Hospice for the care and comfort provided to me and my family. I am also fully aware that I'd have never made it so long with this disease without the prayers and well-wishes of my huge network of friends and loved ones.