Irma Joan Klaus

Irma Joan (Sauer) Klaus, of Mulvane, Kansas, passed away on August 16, 2026, at the age of 85. She was born on December 8, 1940, in Antonino, Kansas, to Clarence and Dorothy Sauer. 

Irma attended the Antonino Grade School and graduated from Girl's Catholic High School in Hays, Kansas in 1958, where she developed values of faith, family, and dedication to hard work. After high school, she immediately began her job in the Ellis County Clerk's office while taking music theory classes at Fort Hays Kansas State College. She married Eugene Klaus (her husband of over 67 years) at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Antonino, Kansas on May 9, 1959 and accompanied him to Fort Sam Houston Texas in San Antonino, Texas for his service to the U.S. Army in 1961. 

In 1973, Irma and Eugene moved to Mulvane, Kansas, where they made their home for the rest of her life. In 1975, she began a job at Mulvane Family Dentistry, ultimately working as office manager for Dr. Randolph K. Thomason and later for Dr. Eric Fayziev until her retirement in 2013. Irma became a familiar and caring presence to coworkers, patients, and friends. 

Irma is preceded in death by her parents Clarence and Dorothy Sauer of Hays, Kansas. Irma is survived by her husband, Eugene; her three children, Sandy Phillips (Mark); J.T. Klaus; and Shelly Steadman (Kyle), all of Mulvane, Kansas; and brother Melvin Sauer, of Hays. 

She was a loving grandmother to Danielle Ricketts (Sam); Whitney Burke (Paul); Courtney Klaus; and Nathan Klaus. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Emma and Hudson Burke. 

A woman of deep faith with a love for music, Irma shared her musical gifts as a church organist for more than 40 years, until she retired from playing the Saturday evening Mass for St. Michael's in Mulvane, Kansas. As church organist, she enriched countless worship services, weddings, anniversaries and funerals throughout her life. 

Visitation with the family will be available at Smith Family Mortuary in Mulvane, Kansas from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. A Rosary will be held at St. Michael's at 9:30 am on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Mulvane, Kansas will start at 10 am on August 20, 2026. 

Irma will be remembered for her love of family, devotion to her faith, hard work, love of music, and the many ways she served others throughout her life. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the St. Michael's Building Fund or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Inc.