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Raymond Klees Obituary
Fr. Ray was ordained on May 9, 1973. He proudly served many parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago including pastor of St. Cletus Parish in La Grange 1992-2006 and retiring from St. Mary of the Woods Parish in 2017. He was also a proud graduate of Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Notre Dame.
In lieu of flowers donations to the University of Notre Dame Club of Chicago Scholarship Foundation - Fr. Ray Klees Scholarship mail to: University of Notre Dame Department of Development 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or https://giveto.nd.edu/give?fund_id=305 are greatly appreciated.
Visitation Tuesday, November 8th from 3-8 PM and Wednesday, November 9th from 9 AM until time of Mass 10 AM at St. Cletus Parish, 600 W 55th St, La Grange, IL 60525. Interment St. Mary Cemetery Evergreen Park. Info 773-736-3833 or www.smithcorcoran.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Klees
Mark Stoelinga
April 27, 2023
I remember Fr. Klees as the organizer and trainer for Alter Boys at St. Juliana. He was very good at this role. One time I pretty much biffed every element of the daily mass in the convent chapel...kicked the bell, tripped on my cassock, forgot to put the key out for the tabernacle. After Mass in the sacristy, he just asked, without judgement, "Is everything ok?" He was pretty chill. Thanks for your ministry and service, Fr. Klees!
Meghan and Erin Martens
November 26, 2022
We only met Fr. Klees this past year, but will always remember him as a very kind, charismatic, and generous man. Thank you for all you did for us and for the community. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace.
Kevin Malone
November 10, 2022
Fr. K lived in Cavanaugh hall at Notre Dame and was our resident Priest. I attended mass with him very often, much to my surprise. He told good stories and was able to relate to us newbies. His door was always open. He was always there for us. He had advice many of us actually wanted to hear. I ran into some tough times with too much partying, good friends intervened, and he invited me to his family house for a reckoning even after he had left Notre Dame. And I listened and it helped.
I kept in close touch for many years- wrote to him from the my journey in Africa and later in Southeast Asia.. and he was always eager to hear about the work. There was a squad of us that kept in close touch, saw him at football games, and occasional get togethers.
Fr. K will be missed. But he did good.
Brian Hagerty
November 8, 2022
Father Klees was such an important part of my life in Zahm Hall at Notre Dame. We always felt like he was one of us, and that our growth and well-being was one of his top priorities as an assistant rector. He will be missed.
William Daley
November 8, 2022
My condolences and prayers go out to the Klees family. Fr.Ray was good friends with my brother, Fr. Jack Daley.
Mike & Janelle Whitton
November 7, 2022
Fr. Ray holds a special place in the hearts of our family. From marrying us, to baptizing our children, the many visits to California and Notre Dame, his personal tour of Rome (him spontaneously singing in a restaurant in Italian with professional serenaders was by far the best part of that trip!), 4th of July Mass...so many treasured memories. We will miss him terribly, but know that he´s always with us...especially when we are watching ND football. Rest In Peace friend, until we meet again.
Dave & Mary Sweeney Harrington
November 7, 2022
As parishioners of St. Mary of the Woods, we enjoyed listening to Father Klees´s sermons. His style was entertaining, humorous, and thoughtful. We always wanted to hear what he had to say, and how this fit in our day to day life. In the small world department, Father Klees´s dad, Mr. Klees, as he was known, was my first District Manager at Illinois Bell. Father Klees facilitated the original First Responders´ Mass, celebrated every fall thereafter, at St. Mary of the Woods, which were well-produced, standing room only, musical, and a patriotic tribute honoring those who serve and protect. No one has done it better since. Father Klees will be missed by many. He was one of a kind.
Nicholas Paprocki
November 7, 2022
I remember Fr. Klees when I was a parishioner at St. Cletus. He baptized my sister Natalie back in 1996 and presided my first Holy Communion Mass on May 11th, 2002. Rest In Peace Fr. Klees! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayer.
Timothy J. Mullane & Family
November 7, 2022
A good man with a big heart and a terrific soul. He was bigger than life back in 1977 at St. Juliana's Parish on the far Northwest Side of Chicago. I was in 7th grade and Father Klees had the most beautiful early 1970's Pontiac Lemans, the desire of many a young boy. He was always cheerful and helpful to the students and Alter Boys. Many of us were sad to see the good Father Klees transferred to our neighbors over at St. Mary of the Woods. Several of us young teens moved him to his new residence over in Edgebrook at about 2 miles away.
If my memory serves me correct, I believe it was Father Klees that began the St. Julianna's Youth Group, which entailed loads of exciting events that included Skiing up at Wilmot Mountain, WI and Summer adventures at Great America. The Youth Group was a tremendous success. Father Ray Klees will be fondly remembered and missed by many. R.I.P.
Ed Dykla
November 6, 2022
Fr. Ray thank you and God bless you.
Knew him at St Julianas .
Ed Dykla
Boynton Beach, Fl.
Sheila and Tom Hansen
November 6, 2022
Years ago, we had the delightful opportunity to attend a Christmas mass for families celebrated by Ray and sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Chicago Club. In the homily, he beautifully explained the Christmas story to the children present at the mass. That was our first encounter with him, but we were happy to be able to attend mass at St. Cletus often. His homilies were always inspiring and entertaining. How fortunate for us that my sister and brother-in-law were neighbors of his in TL, so we saw him occasionally when we were up there. We always enjoyed chatting with him when our paths would cross. Our sympathies to his family. He was indeed a good and faithful servant.
Kevin Gilbert
November 5, 2022
First came across Father Klees as a sixth grader at St. Juliana nervously trying to learn how to be an altar server for Mass. Father Klees put together a great little instruction book. He was always kind and friendly and just a great guy. In later years, we reconnected when he was EVP at Notre Dame College Prep, my alma mater. A great role model and a good friend. Father Klees will be missed. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Kevin, Julia & Scott Gilbert
Fr. Thomas Nangle
November 5, 2022
Ray leaves a serious empty spot in my personal landscape, and I´ll miss him. May he know God´s peace in that perfect creation we hope for, and may his family know the grace of endurance as they begin to get used to the empty spot in their world. Peace, to all.
Fr. Thomas Nangle
Marie Hefler
November 5, 2022
My family and I knew Father Klees as alumni and members of St. Cletus. Will always treasure the 4th of July Masses.
He was so gifted narrating the tribute after Mass of all the
Armed Services. I am glad
I texted him in July thanking
him for his years of ministry.
Peace be with you Father Klees. You are now safely home forever.
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