Mrs. Elsa Maria Klaus, resident of Lakehead Manor, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of Monday, November 18, 2013. Elsa was born in the beautiful city of Schwabisch Hall, Germany on March 20, 1926 to Katharina and Otto Leib. Elsa was the fourth eldest of ten children. In 1952 she married the love of her life, Gerhard. They welcomed their daughter Susanne in 1954. During the next 4 years they planned a new life and moved to Paramus, New Jersey in 1959, where they lived for 10 years. There, Elsa was a homemaker to many walks of life, enjoying helping people and making lifelong friends. Packing up and moving the family to Thunder Bay in 1969 was a big adjustment in her life. She worked in sales at Arrow Electric Annex, Chapples and later as a Red Cross Homemaker until her retirement in 1996. Elsa was such a warm, giving, friendly person with a nice smile that made her clients feel so much better. As an active member of the Calvary Lutheran Church, she joined the LWML and Mary Martha Circle. Her main focus was on her family, which seemed to grow by leaps and bounds. We all looked forward to her delicious German style dinners around the welcoming dining room table. Elsa loved to bake traditional cakes, cookies and pastries for many occasions and also to bring to her friends and loved ones. She is survived by daughter Susan (Hugh); grandchildren Amanda (Mike), Stefanie (Jay), Kristin, Tyler (Sara); step-grandchildren Katie and Theren along with 4 great grandchildren and 5 step-great grandchildren; sister Gerda, brothers Helmut and Siegfried and numerous other relatives. We will truly miss our “Oma” as everyone called her, but her memory will stay in our hearts forever. Funeral Services for the late Elsa Maria Klaus will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 1:00 pm in Calvary Lutheran Church with Pastor Brian Lee officiating. Visitation for family and friends will take place in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James on Friday November 22, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 pm with prayers at 7:00 pm. If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Calvary Lutheran Church, Lakehead Manor or a charity of your choice.