Vermoine Vertelle Klauss was born on 5. Apr. 1920 at Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska. He was the son of
Frank Klauss and
Dolly (Unknown). Vermoine Vertelle Klauss began military service on 2. Nov. 1942; Private U.S. Army
2 years high school
divorced without dependents
68 inches tall
129 lbs. He married
Thelma McPike, daughter of
Rev. Marion Jefferson McPike and
Ada Isabell Shaw, on 25. Dec. 1946. Vermoine Vertelle Klauss died on 14. Feb. 2004 at Salem, Marion County, Oregon, at age 83.
Vermoine Vertelle Klauss
SALEM, Ore. - Vermoine "Curly" Klauss died on Saturday, Feb. 14. 2004, in Salem, Ore.
He was born in Valentine, Neb., on Easter, April 5, 1920. He had thick curly hair as a child which earned him the name, Curly. His family moved from Nebraska to Independence and then to Toledo, Ore., where he grew up and finished high school.
His education at Linfield College was interrupted by World War II with four years as a medic in the Navy and Marines, which were all served in combat zones in the Pacific Islands and finally Iwo Jima. He earned many distinctions and medals including two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts and an Asiatic Campaign Medal with three battle stars serving with the Fourth Marine Division. He returned to Linfield to earn a bachelor of science degree, graduating in 1947.
It was at Linfield College where he met the love of his life, Thelma McPike. They were married on Christmas Day, 1946.
In 1948, they moved to Missoula to raise their family near her parents, the late Rev. M.J. and Ada McPike. Curly began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in Missoula. They moved back to Oregon after his retirement in 1976, to be near family members.
True to his retirement dream, he spent many wonderful years fishing up and down the Oregon Coast and Alaska with friends and family members.
Curly enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He always shared with family and friends the fruits of these hobbies. He also enjoyed reading, walking and volunteering in his church and at the Capital Manor where he and Thelma retired to live in May 2001.
In addition to his wife, soul mate and love, Thelma, he is survived by his two daughters, Carol Yenne and husband Bill Yenne of San Francisco and Julie Klauss of Littleton, Colo; four grandchildren, including Azia Yenne-Bolos, Annalisa Yenne, and Emily Giometti and Anthony Giometti, Julie's children.
He is also survived by four nephews, Mark McPike, Dean McPike, Jim Rilette and Jerry Rilette and one niece, Judy Nelson.
His brother, LaMoine Klauss and sister Darlene Rilette preceded him in death.
The family feels forever blessed by Curly's presence in their lives and remembers his patient ways and his smile.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Capital Manor in Salem.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to the College Scholarship Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Salem or the Tillamook Anglers, 7510 Trask River Road, Tillamook, OR 97141, (503) 842-6519.
Arrangements are by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.