Frank Willis Claus
October 3, 1944 — June 17, 2022
Frank Willis Claus went Home to the Lord on Friday, June 17, 2022, at age 77.
Frank was born to the most loving parents, Willis and Evelyn Claus, on October 3, 1944, in Gallup. New Mexico. He and his older sister Connie and twin, Marylin, with whom he shared a unique and close bond, grew up in Albuquerque. Frank was born with health and physical challenges. However, he m...
Frank Willis Claus went Home to the Lord on Friday, June 17, 2022, at age 77.
Frank was born to the most loving parents, Willis and Evelyn Claus, on October 3, 1944, in Gallup. New Mexico. He and his older sister Connie and twin, Marylin, with whom he shared a unique and close bond, grew up in Albuquerque. Frank was born with health and physical challenges. However, he made overcoming obstacles seem effortless, and his positive nature never wavered. At age four, his dad made him his first pair of crutches, and from that point on, he was unstoppable. His positive attitude, generous spirit, and kind heart left an impression wherever he went. You always knew how he felt about you because he was quick to compliment and share his affection. He never met a stranger that didn't quickly become a friend; he always went out of his way to help anyone in need and had an incredible spirit that will forever be remembered along with his contagious laugh and beautiful smile.
As a kid, he participated in all sports, including baseball and skating; he was an ace swimmer and an incredible gymnast at UNM, the only one who mastered the iron cross. He also played the cornet in the band and was a Boy Scout and the NM State Boy Scout Camp Bugler. He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and was affectionately known as "Sticks." Frank completed his Bachelor's degree and earned his Master's degree at New Mexico Stat...
Frank Willis Claus went Home to the Lord on Friday, June 17, 2022, at age 77.
Frank was born to the most loving parents, Willis and Evelyn Claus, on October 3, 1944, in Gallup. New Mexico. He and his older sister Connie and twin, Marylin, with whom he shared a unique and close bond, grew up in Albuquerque. Frank was born with health and physical challenges. However, he made overcoming obstacles seem effortless, and his positive nature never wavered. At age four, his dad made him his first pair of crutches, and from that point on, he was unstoppable. His positive attitude, generous spirit, and kind heart left an impression wherever he went. You always knew how he felt about you because he was quick to compliment and share his affection. He never met a stranger that didn't quickly become a friend; he always went out of his way to help anyone in need and had an incredible spirit that will forever be remembered along with his contagious laugh and beautiful smile.
As a kid, he participated in all sports, including baseball and skating; he was an ace swimmer and an incredible gymnast at UNM, the only one who mastered the iron cross. He also played the cornet in the band and was a Boy Scout and the NM State Boy Scout Camp Bugler. He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and was affectionately known as "Sticks." Frank completed his Bachelor's degree and earned his Master's degree at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM. Frank also had many hobbies during his lifetime, including gardening, making Indian Heishi jewelry, and collecting hats and knives of all kinds. Frank loved sports, specifically the Dallas Cowboys. He was a die-hard fan and never wavered. In addition, he loved Sudoku, reading, action movies, and music, especially Elvis and the Beatles.
In 1993 Frank met his loving wife, Minnie, a Nurse at the New Mexico Health Department, where they were coworkers until their first date in December of 2000. They were married in March 2001, and he was blessed with three stepchildren, Michael, Meagan, and Maria, whom he loved dearly. Minnie and Frank shared a love and friendship that sustained them throughout his life. Minnie was the love of his life, and they spent hours holding hands and reminiscing. His one wish was that he could dance. He told Minnie that he would be in Heaven to greet her, and they would dance forever. They loved Las Cruces, where lifelong friends and family surrounded them around every corner. Frank's unwavering faith in his Heavenly Father is the foundation upon which he built his life. Frank and Minnie focused their love and attention on their two grandkids, Sean and Alana, who were the joys of their lives, along with family, friends, and their many dogs (Peggy Sue,Tootsie,Kensi, Lucy), and one beloved cat(Lily)
Frank worked for his dad at Claus and Co. foundry, then in 1969, he worked for the Bernalillo County Health Office in Albuquerque. He was promoted in 1981 to Administrator - System Analyst at Dona Ana Public Health Department in Las Cruces and then retired in 1996. After retiring, he taught at Dona Ana Community College for six years and became a popular and loved instructor.
Frank joins his parents, Evelyn and Willis, in Heaven, where they are sure to be spending their days dancing and fishing. Also preceding him in death are his sister Connie, her husband Bob Morgan, and niece Melayne McInnis. He is survived by his loving wife Minnie, her son, Michael Kinney (Dana) and grandson Sean, and her daughters Maria Kinney of Las Cruces and Meagan Gerk (Justin), granddaughter Alana of Round Rock, TX, His twin sister, Marylin Nichols, his niece Susan Harris (Craig), and sons John, Matthew, and Michael of Round Rock, Texas, his nephew John Nichols of Albuquerque, NM., nephew Stephen Morgan (Debbie) and daughter Ashley of Lawrenceville, GA., nephew Don McInnis and daughter Elise of Columbia, South Carolina, as well as numerous other family and friends.
Services for Frank will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, July 8, 2022, at Getz Funeral Home Chapel.
READ LESSMORE
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frank Willis Claus, please visit our flower store.