January 2025
Verner (Vern) H. Klotz, 80, of Lombard, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2024, at home after a short period of illness
with his loving family by his side. He was born January 8, 1944, in Riverside, California, son of the late Dr. Verner H. Klotz, Sr. and Frieda (Reipke) Klotz.
Vern was raised in Hinsdale, IL and graduated from Walther Lutheran High School. After graduation, he attended Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, IL. He spent one year teaching at St. John’s Lutheran School on Staten Island, NY between his junior and senior year. There he met his future wife, Carol Waldschlagel.
He attended S.I.U in Carbondale working towards a master’s degree in chemistry. Vern and Carol were married on Staten Island, NY on December 28, 1967. They returned to Carbondale and Vern took a position at St. Paul’s High School and Junior College in Concordia, MO. While there, Vern earned two master’s Degrees from Central Missouri State. He received a call from Concordia University in River Forest, IL and taught there until retirement.
Family was very important, and he adored his 11 grandchildren as well as his three children and their spouses.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lombard, and enjoyed bell choir, men’s darts, and teaching Bible class for adults. He also enjoyed gardening and was an avid fisherman. His home was Lombard since 1986.
Vern shared 57 years of marriage with his loving wife, Carol. In addition to his wife, he leaves his son Craig (Joy) Klotz, their daughters Kailyn, Lauren, and Ellie; their daughter Cynthia Lewerke and her children Senai (JP) Ryal, Eden, Jacob, Neve, and Tamar; and their youngest child Kimberly (Jamil) Webster and her children Layla, Ariya, and Eli. Vern’s youngest brother Neil Klotz and Natalia Klotz live in Scotland. He also leaves his sister-in-law Laura (Hank) Mohlenhoff and sister-in-law Janet (Jim) Klotz, as well as several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death was his brother James and his brother-in-law Robert Waldschlagel.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 215 S. Lincoln, Lombard, IL 60148.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lombard or to Samaritan’s Purse- Operation Christmas Child online or at PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.