Kenneth Klages
January 05, 1946 - December 31, 2020
Obituary
Kenneth J. Klages, 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 31, 2020, after a short battle with acute leukemia. Ken was born on January 5, 1946, to Rev. Cecil and Clara (Esslinger) Klages in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, Canada. His family lived for several years in Ontario, Canada before moving to Grand Haven, MI. He married Ruth Koenig on December 26, 1971, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Chicago, IL.
Ken had a love of music that was nurtured early. He stated in a recent interview, “As the son of a pastor, I grew up immersed in the music and liturgy of the church. My Lutheran school principal/teacher saw my musical gifts and encouraged me to become a church musician. He was my organ teacher and had me play for services during my high school years. At college, I continued my education in parish music.”
Ken was a member of the first graduating class of Concordia Lutheran Junior College in Ann Arbor, MI in 1965 and graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL in 1967. He faithfully served for over 53 years at several Lutheran congregations including Bethel in Chicago, IL; Our Redeemer in Muskegon, MI; Saint Paul in Leavenworth, KS; and Peace Lutheran in Saginaw, MI. During that time, he worked as a teacher, minister of music and the church organist. He also directed adult and children's choirs, men's and women's ensembles, handbell choirs and instrumental ensembles.
Ken considered himself not just a minister of music, but also a minister of God's Word, doing his preaching from the organ bench in the balcony of a church. For the past 33 years, that's been the balcony of Peace Lutheran Church. Even though he officially retired on June 30, 2020, he continued to work at Peace part-time. Ken played the organ for his final church service on Sunday, December 13, 2020.
Ken supported music in the community. He could regularly be heard as the narrator for the Classic Legacy Band of Saginaw concerts, providing interesting and informative commentary about the band's pieces. He was a member of the Saginaw Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Ruth; one daughter, Kristen Klages of Saginaw, MI; his mother, Clara Klages of Grand Haven, MI; four siblings, Ronald (Meryl) Klages of Cape Coral, FL, Lois (Robert) Eich of Grand Haven, MI, Carol (James) Spoelma of Holt, MI, and Ross (Kathie) Klages of Mason, MI; many nieces and nephews; and two brothers-in-law, Ernest (Karen) Koenig of Chicago, IL and Bruce (Carol) Koenig of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Ken was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Cecil Klages.
Visitation will take place Friday, January 8, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. In accordance with current state mandated restrictions, safe distancing and limitations on number gathered within the building will be observed. Attendees are also asked to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home, per state requirements.
Funeral Service will take place Saturday, January 9, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48602. Rev. Matthew Hauser will officiate. Guests are requested to wear a mask and observe safe distancing from those outside their household. Thank you for your understanding as we do our best to keep everyone safe and healthy.
For those unable to attend, Ken's funeral service will be live-streamed at the following web address: http://peacesaginaw.org/watch/
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church General Fund, Music Fund, or Peace Foundation Future Church Worker Scholarship Fund.
For information, please call (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
Ken had a love of music that was nurtured early. He stated in a recent interview, “As the son of a pastor, I grew up immersed in the music and liturgy of the church. My Lutheran school principal/teacher saw my musical gifts and encouraged me to become a church musician. He was my organ teacher and had me play for services during my high school years. At college, I continued my education in parish music.”
Ken was a member of the first graduating class of Concordia Lutheran Junior College in Ann Arbor, MI in 1965 and graduated from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, IL in 1967. He faithfully served for over 53 years at several Lutheran congregations including Bethel in Chicago, IL; Our Redeemer in Muskegon, MI; Saint Paul in Leavenworth, KS; and Peace Lutheran in Saginaw, MI. During that time, he worked as a teacher, minister of music and the church organist. He also directed adult and children's choirs, men's and women's ensembles, handbell choirs and instrumental ensembles.
Ken considered himself not just a minister of music, but also a minister of God's Word, doing his preaching from the organ bench in the balcony of a church. For the past 33 years, that's been the balcony of Peace Lutheran Church. Even though he officially retired on June 30, 2020, he continued to work at Peace part-time. Ken played the organ for his final church service on Sunday, December 13, 2020.
Ken supported music in the community. He could regularly be heard as the narrator for the Classic Legacy Band of Saginaw concerts, providing interesting and informative commentary about the band's pieces. He was a member of the Saginaw Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Ruth; one daughter, Kristen Klages of Saginaw, MI; his mother, Clara Klages of Grand Haven, MI; four siblings, Ronald (Meryl) Klages of Cape Coral, FL, Lois (Robert) Eich of Grand Haven, MI, Carol (James) Spoelma of Holt, MI, and Ross (Kathie) Klages of Mason, MI; many nieces and nephews; and two brothers-in-law, Ernest (Karen) Koenig of Chicago, IL and Bruce (Carol) Koenig of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Ken was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Cecil Klages.
Visitation will take place Friday, January 8, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. In accordance with current state mandated restrictions, safe distancing and limitations on number gathered within the building will be observed. Attendees are also asked to wear a mask or other facial covering while inside the funeral home, per state requirements.
Funeral Service will take place Saturday, January 9, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Avenue, Saginaw, Michigan 48602. Rev. Matthew Hauser will officiate. Guests are requested to wear a mask and observe safe distancing from those outside their household. Thank you for your understanding as we do our best to keep everyone safe and healthy.
For those unable to attend, Ken's funeral service will be live-streamed at the following web address: http://peacesaginaw.org/watch/
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church General Fund, Music Fund, or Peace Foundation Future Church Worker Scholarship Fund.
For information, please call (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com.
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Memories
PD
Pastor Dean M Davenport
Other •
I'm so thankful to have known Ken. Ruth, thanks for supporting him through the years as he shared his gifts and talents with so many of us.
As a young man I got a taste of what it meant to live your faith from Ken. He was surely a blessing to many - and his love for the Lord and music was evident to all.
God bless you Ruth and Kristen - may the peace of knowing that those who die knowing Jesus as Savior are with Him now and forever more. "He lives all glory to His name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same; Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!"
Pastor Dean M. Davenport
ES
elaine sims
Other •
I have always been very fond of him. I was a member of Good Shepherd and we joined choirs at peace to all sing together, I will never forget it Will be greatley missed
SS
Scott Sayers
Other •
Rest In Peace Ken
CC
Carol Chishoim
Other •
It was always a pleasure to see Ken when I livestreamed. He helped me out a number of times. I will miss him and so will many others. My prayers and thoughts are with Ruth and Kristen. So sorry for your loss!
JR
Jim and Karen Robinson
Other •
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Ruth and Kristen as well as the entire congregation at Peace. Ken was a wonderful man and a very talented musician. I am so thankful for the years we worked together and for the blessing of having him teach our daughter in school. “Well done good and faithful servant.” You will be missed greatly.
PK
Pastor Ed Kast
Other •
Ken is the epitome of a Christian gentleman, who spoke eloquently through his music and choirs. He didn't say much verbally; but when he did, it was always well worth listening to and well expressed. I'm heartbroken over the loss of a beloved colleague...but oh so happy for his participation in the awesome music of the heavenly hosts. ~ Pastor Ed Kast