Mildred M. Klaus, 92, Hays, died Sunday, May 17, 2026 at HaysMed.
She was born November 20, 1933 in Victoria, the daughter of Wendelin and Agatha (Miller) Geist. On September 30, 1952, she was united in marriage to Cletus W. Klaus at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, and they celebrated 73 years of marriage. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella Circle #254.
Mildred was quick with a smile and her warm, welcoming nature was lovingly shared with customers during the 28 years she worked at Alco, while volunteering at the HaysMed Gift Shop and Via Christi Village, or when visiting the elderly. She enjoyed baking, cooking, helping with funeral dinners, as well as coffee at McDonald’s with friends, playing Pinochle, and the company of people stopping by to visit. She liked doing puzzles and was a sports fan who enjoyed watching KU basketball and the Kansas City Royals with Cletus. Mildred’s family had a special place in her heart, and she would always keep tabs on what was going on in the lives of her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband Cletus of Hays, three daughters, Sharon Walker and husband Brad of Village of Loch Lloyd, Missouri, Brenda Dreiling and husband Doug of Hays, and Linda Forth and husband Brent of Jenks, Oklahoma, four grandchildren Erika Scoby and husband Luke, Casey Bartlett and husband Anthony, Justin Forth and wife Emily, and Tara Wright and husband Mark, nine great grandchildren Layla Scoby, Olivia and Ethan Forth, Connor and Coleson Bartlett, Becket, Jack, Patch, and Davey Wright, her brother-in-law Adolph Flax of Hays, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son Gerard, her sisters Marcella Schmeidler and husband Celly and Mary Ann Flax, and four great grandchildren Bentley Scoby, Jude, Hope, and Sarah Wright.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, May 22, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Daryl Olmstead officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A Daughters of Isabella Rosary will be at 5:30 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30 pm, all on Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to TMP-M Endowment or for masses. Condolences and memories of Mildred may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com