Carl Kleusch

Kleusch, Carl T. 85 Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Dear husband of Theresa Kleusch (nee Akins) Dear father of Robert, Thomas and David Kleusch and Kerry and Trinity Saunders; Our dear grandfather, and friend. SERVICE: Funeral from JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS FUNERAL HOMES - South County (4830 Lemay Ferry Road) Friday January 19, 11:30 am to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church for 12 Noon, Mass. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. VISITATION THURSDAY 4:00pm to 8:00pm. A record of service-Carl Kleusch was born on November 19, 1932 in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. His character was shaped by his family's strong values-church, schooling and work. He grew up during WWII, so the family struggled to make ends meet. Carl helped out with a paper route and worked on a victory garden. A vegetable garden became a life tradition. Carl also worked in a grocery store during school years, but he made time for football, basketball and time with his younger brother. Upon graduation, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Airforce. He did training in Texas. About a year later he met Helga Maier and they were happily married. They had three sons during his military years-Robert, Thomas and David. Carl rose to the highest enlisted rank of Master Sergeant (22yrs.) His service included duty as an Air Policeman (Korea); an Aircraft Loadmaster; an Instructor and a Standardized Evaluation Examiner. While serving (Viet Nam,) Carl won the Distinguished Flying Cross on a mission near Da Nang. He was also awarded four Air Medals for meritorious service in over 200 combat sorties and two Air Force Commendation Medals for his rescue services. Carl had missions all over the world. On an historical note, Carl remembered his time in Hawaii when he had to take air samples during atomic bomb testing and his rapid response flight across the country during the Cuba Missile Crisis. During his military career, he did get the opportunity to graduate from Altus Junior College and extended credits with the Univercity of Maryland-Europe for a Business degree. Upon his retirement, he spent more time with his family and found other business work. Carl had already volunteered his time with the Boy Scout program when his sons were growing. He was glad to gain employment with the Boy Scouts of America to serve in various executive capacities-youth development and fund raising. He was elected for a three year term as Chairman of an International Camping Committee (serving 7 countries.) During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Carl worked as a Consultant to the Department of Defense to organize youth programs for families of U.S. serviceman who were serving their country in the Persian Gulf. When the program ended, Carl came back to the states and decided to make St. Louis his home base. Carl and Helga both worked in the late eighties to buy their dream home. Unfortunately, she developed cancer and lost the battle (Sept. 1995) three years after they moved to the Meadows of Quail Creek (Tesson Ferry Township.) To remedy his loss, Carl focused his energy on helping the community. He was elected to be a Trustee for the "Meadows", and was a leader of "Citizens Against Southpointe". Carl met Theresa Saunders when the group had a meeting at her home. They were both elected committee people. She was very active with the MNEA, supporting Congressman Gephardt and working for various organizations. After several years of working together, they joined forces and married in December, 1998. He joined her church shortly thereafter - St. Margaret Mary Alacoqoe. Carl was an active Rotory and VFW member. He loved being in the Honor Guard at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. Carl was a wonderful husband, a great supportive step-dad to Kerry Saunders, and a loving grandfather for Trinity Saunders. Our whole family loved him. January 18, 2018
04:00 pm - 08:00 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons South County Chapel
4830 Lemay Ferry Road (63129)
January 19, 2018
12:00 pm - 01:00 pm
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church
4900 Ringer Road (63129)