John Claus

Born March 7, 1933 to Ed and Ellen Claus in Tacoma, Washington, raised on a dairy farm he became a renowned horseman, able to gentle break even the hardest ones. With a deeply rooted passion for the outdoors he was a pioneer in early 1950's alpine climbing. He graduated from Western Washington College with a teaching degree and a big dream for life. He was released from the hospital for a few hours to attend his wedding to his childhood sweetheart Eleanor Nelson, December 21, 1956. After almost losing her in a climbing accident during their honeymoon in the Cascade Mountains they packed their pickup and headed toward their new life in Alaska. He taught Biology and Chemistry at Anchorage High School, (West), then East when it opened. At the same time the couple homesteaded on Goose Bay and John realized that flying to work would be much easier than the swamp buggy slog so he bought an airplane and learned to fly. Thus setting him on a path to become a gifted and passionate bush pilot with over 20,000 hours. A hunting guide in his spare time taking polar bear hunters out of Teller, caribou and moose hunters out of Sparrevohn and sheep hunters in the Wrangell's. He commercial fished in Bristol Bay receiving one of the original limited entry permits and was a successful building contractor in Anchorage. John and Eleanor have three children born in Anchorage. Paul, fished the permit, flew the airplanes and built a lodge on their land in the Wrangell's with wife Donna, children Ellie, husband Ben Gray, Jay and Logan. Daughter, Peggy, teacher and adventurer like her dad, taught in Mekoryak, Akiak, Kenny Lake, Newtok and Anchorage. She lives in Talkeetna with husband David Hicks, children John Clark and Katelyn. Daughter Pam, who is rebuilding her father's dream at the homestead her dad so loved with husband Bruce Markwood, an Anchorage Firefighter, children Rachel, husband Tyler Andersen, Sara, and Hannah. John is a treasure to those who knew him and leaves a huge and inspiring legacy but more importantly he glorified Jesus with his life. He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith.

If you wish to give a memorial please send it to Providence Hospice or the First Evangelical Covenant Church where the celebration of his life will be held on January 2, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Arrangements are with Janssen Funeral Homes, Inc.