ROBERT LOUIS PAUL CLAUS

Robert Louis Claus (Bob), 75, of Mass City, Michigan, went to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at UP Health System-Bell in Ishpeming. He was born on June 14th, 1945 in Marquette, Michigan, to the late Donald and Rena Claus. Bob grew up in Big Bay, Michigan with his 3 brothers, John, Dan (Jane) Claus, Earl (Nancy) Claus and 3 sisters, Donna Aird, Adriene (Paul) Remali and Christine (Walter) Anderson. He married the love of his life, Wendy Lehnhardt, on October 19, 1968. They spent 52 years of marriage together and had 3 children, Bobby (LeAnn) Claus, Carrie (Jeff) Anttila and Brian Claus along with 6 grandchildren; Brooke (Charlie) Kriescher, Ryan, Jarod, Katelyn, Courtney and Collin). Bob spent his childhood growing up in Big Bay, Michigan and graduated from Bishop Baraga High School in Marquette. He attended Northern Michigan University for one year before being drafted into the US Army. He served in Vietnam as a radio technician until February of 1968. Upon his return from Vietnam he began working for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the Parks and Recreation division. Bob and Wendy lived at the Porcupine Mountain headquart...[more]

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where Bob worked the ski hill in the winter months and resided in the west end in the summer months to work as campground manager. They lived at the Porcupine Mountain headquarters until 1972 when Bob transferred to the Department of Natural Resources fire division in Marquette. They resided in Marquette until 1977 when Bob took a position as Fire Officer out of Twin Lakes, Michigan, and they moved to Mass City. Later Bob was promoted to District Fire Officer out of Baraga, Michigan, wherein he retired in 1997. Bob never knew a stranger and he could talk to anyone about anything, even if he had just met them. He had a "sparkle" in his eye and his smile was contagious to everyone around him. He loved being in the outdoors, as this was a huge part of his life growing up. Bob was known by many as the "fish whisperer" when out fishing the Ontonagon River, Bob Lake or Emily Lake. He shared the love of the great outdoors with his children and grandchildren along with many other friends. Most of all, he loved living life with his family and he made sure that we all knew his love. A celebration of Bob's life will take place on Saturday, December 12th at 11:00 a.m. at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Marquette with the Rev. Jay Welshonse of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mass City officiating. Attendance will be by live stream at https://my.gather.app/remember/robert-claus If anyone would like to send a poinsettia or Christmas flowers in memory of Bob, please contact All Seasons Floral and Gifts (906) 485-6662. Memorials may also be sent in honor of Bob to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 9, Mass City, MI 49948. Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Marquette is assisting the Claus family where memories of Bob may be shared at canalefuneral.com.