Gavin Michael Klebs, 10, of Anchorage, Alaska, spent the first of his endless days in the glory of heaven on Aug. 20, 2017. On that day, Gavin was embraced by Jesus and taken to be with Him in the mansions of heaven.
Gavin was born in Palmer, Alaska, on June 4, 2007. He was the beloved son of Matthew and Sarah (Mikos) Klebs and the brother of Connor and Caroline Klebs. Gavin became a member of God's family through holy baptism on July 1, 2007. God held him in that baptismal grace every day of his life.
Gavin was described by all who knew him as a kind, fun-loving, imaginative and hardworking young man. Gavin's hallmark was kindness and his concern for others was legendary. Gavin had a great sense of humor and loved to make others around him laugh. Gavin had an active imagination. He loved building Lego bases, making movies on his iPhone and playing for endless hours with his friends and siblings. Gavin always showed tender loving care for others, even offering a full year's savings to a few people he knew were in need.
Gavin truly saw beauty in simple things. He loved to see God's beauty in Creation. Gavin had visited over 20 National Parks in his young life, earning "Junior Ranger" status from most of those parks. He loved playing sports, especially soccer and fishing. Above all, Gavin loved to be with his family, snuggling, hugging and loving all who were around him.
Most importantly Gavin knew Jesus as his Savior. God put faith in his heart, enabling Gavin to eagerly and willing share His love in words and thoughtful deeds. Gavin enjoyed worshiping God in church and learning all about Jesus. In his final weeks with us, he remarked several times that he was excited to think of going to heaven one day. Knowing that Gavin is now fully enjoying that wonder-filled reality is a great comfort to his family.
Gavin is survived by his parents, Matt and Sarah Klebs; siblings, Connor Klebs and Caroline Klebs; grandparents, Shirley Klebs, Jerry and Carol Mikos, and Gary (Mary) Klebs; great-grandparents, Goldine Bundy, Ramona Klebs and Mary Anne Mikos; aunts and uncles, Nick Mikos, Mike (Mary) Klebs, Amy (Jake) Mozolik and Amy (Tim) Bates; cousins, Alli and Lexi Klebs and Colton and Lilly Klebs; Alaska great-uncle, James (Michele) Killeen; and many other loving great aunts, uncles, extended family and close friends.
Gavin's family and friends will gather to celebrate his eternal victory in a worship service on Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in South Anchorage at 5 p.m. This spacious facility will better accommodate the large group of family and friends than would the family's home church of Peace Lutheran. Please consider wearing Gavin's favorite color, blue, or a bow tie.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to the Gavin Klebs Memorial Fund at Peace Lutheran Church, 11555 Birch Hills Drive, Eagle River, AK 99577.
Jesus himself said "I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) It is because He lives that we know Gavin continues to live. To God be the glory.

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Published by Anchorage Daily News on Aug. 29, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Gavin Klebs

Sponsored by Wanda E. Dale.

11 Entries

Susan Rembert

August 31, 2017

May God give your family peace, comfort and understanding at this time. Hugs!

August 31, 2017

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. I'm sending you a hug from afar.

Matt Klebs

August 30, 2017

Dear Gavin,

Buddy Gavin, goober, fumbles mcbumbles, plumber Gavin, mini-me. You had so many loving names, and each one held a special meaning.

Buddy Gavin you were my buddy. My little shadow. You loved to be with me and I loved to be with you. You always knew how to cheer me up a bit. I will remember you for giving the best random hugs. Bounding down the stairs when I got home from work and saying Hi Daddy with the most bubbly voice and giving a hug. It seemed like you always had a great day and wanted everyone else to have a great day too. You were everyone's buddy. Always happy to play with Caroline or Connor, friends, cousins, or even total strangers. You were a servant, doing things for others and sacrificing your time. You would love when the family would watch a movie just so you could make popcorn on the stove and serve it to everyone while they watched. You just wanted to be a buddy to everyone around you. But you were God's buddy, and your faith was strong. You had a child like faith, and you were always a good example to us of what that should be. You were always so enthusiastic about praying, singing in church, dressing up for church in your little bow tie. You are now dressed in pure robes, singing his praises.

Goober a loving name we made for you when you were a baby because you were always so goobery. As the years grew on you embraced that name with a smile and a laugh. You were always able to laugh at yourself. You would joke about yourself just to make others laugh. Your poor body always did have a rash or an allergy. I am so happy for you that your body is now perfect and free of all those allergies. I picture you completely goober free now, but still calling yourself goober.

Fumbles Mcbumbles another name that was made in your young toddler years. We always said your body could not grow as fast as your feet. Like a puppy you had big feet and they seemed to always get in your way. You were again able to use this for comic relief and never seemed to care when you would trip up a bit, or spill something, or drop something, and just shrug your shoulder and say Fumbles Mcbumbles!. When you would play with friends it was the same way. You loved to play sports, especially soccer. But your feet just never seemed to move the way you wanted them too. You never got down on yourself, always just loving to play and working hard to be better. Oh dear Gavin, you will never trip over those perfect feet again! Unless of course you are trying to make the other Angels laugh!

Plumber Gavin you wanted so bad to be a plumber when you grew up. I know it was because you wanted to be like me and work with me. You always said you would grow up and work at KLEBS. You were my helper, helping me at the property or at the house or anywhere without promise of money or fun or anything. No complaining, you would just work with me, and normally give me little Gavin hugs throughout the day. We are going to work, and work, and work some more! we would chant and you would be so excited. I lost my helper, my working partner. But I know that you are helping an even greater person right now Jesus. And that helps us all!

Mini Me you were a little mini me. You looked like me, acted like me, and aspired to be like me. If I liked the Packers, you liked them too. If I liked Rush, you liked them too. Whenever you found out something I liked, you would automatically make it your favorite. You would look at me with amazement and think since I liked it, it must be the coolest. You saw something in me that I never saw in myself, and you helped me to look at myself in a new way, loved by my children, and loved by you. You and I had such similar personalities. I felt I understood you perfectly, and knew how your mind worked. I knew what you were feeling when you were sad. There were times when you would beat yourself up and your little self esteem would struggle. I knew what you were feeling, and knew that little earthly demon called low self esteem would eventually start to tear you down. I am so glad Jesus rescued you from that demon, because although I knew what you were feeling I was scared I would not be able to protect you from those feelings or make you stronger. My only power was to give you hugs, but I was afraid I would not always be there to give you hugs. Now you are hugged by Jesus forever, and no demon can ever tear you down.

Dear Gavin, I miss you more than I ever realized. As a parent you sometimes wonder what it would be like to loose a child. This is harder than I ever thought, and I am so sad to loose you and all the little aspects of what you brought to this family. I know that you are loved more now than I could ever love you and that even if you were able to come back to me you wouldn't want to. Why would you? To suffer on this earth for a few more years? You are the lucky one, you lived a great life, and Jesus took you home in the most peaceful way. I thank Him for that. I thank him that you don't have to suffer here anymore.
In your earthly sleep, God has been glorified. You have brought families together, spread the good news of Jesus, and glorified His name in many ways. Through this earthly tragedy, a heavenly miracle took place. God's plan is sometimes hard to see but in this event, it is evident.
I want to go to heaven. I have had that feeling since I was old enough to comprehend it. But now that you are there waiting for me, I have something even more to look forward to. I pray that I stay in the faith, along with Sarah, Connor, and Caroline. That the five of us will all be reunited soon in heaven, in the presence of God. I pray that God will give me little signs of you throughout my life here on earth, so that my memory of you will live on, but now with a new name Angel Gavin.

I love you with all my heart! More than I can ever explain!

Your buddy
Dad

karen adams

August 30, 2017

my heart breaks for you and with you. God is with him. My peace come knowing this. God says" bring the little ones and I will comfort them", His is truly the "Littlest Angel",,

Debbie & Jeff Austin

August 29, 2017

Jeff and I cannot express our sorrow for Gavin passing. We are truly glad that you have such a strong family and faith to comfort you. God bless you all.

Nancy Edtl

August 29, 2017

Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Sweet Gavin left an impression of loving kindness to so many of us who knew him. We love you guys. Nancy Edtl and Steve Pradell

Sharon Sauer

August 29, 2017

Praying for support and comfort for family and friends of Gavin. You are included on the prayer chain at St. John United Methodist Church. Sending love and hugs to you all.

Wanda Dale

August 29, 2017

So sorry for your loss. Gavin's life will remain in the hearts of those he met and with family & friends. God is hugging and embracing Gavin with his love. I will keep you and your families in my prayers.

MARCEL T

August 29, 2017

I 'm so sorry for your loss. Although your grief may seem unbearable, know that God wants to comfort you. Pour out your heart to him in prayer and experience the peace that only he can give. JEREMIAH 29:11