Dennis J. Kaus

Dennis J. Kaus, 73, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025 after battling cancer for a fourth time. Dennis was born on June 25, 1951 to Gerald and Betty (Newhouse) Kaus in Aurora, Illinois. Dennis graduated from Aurora Central Catholic High School in 1969, he then attended Morton College where he studied physical therapy. Dennis worked at St. Anthony's Hospital and then for the Veterans Administration in the Physical Therapy department at Hines Hospital, where he spent many years caring for veterans. He retired in January 2014 and enjoyed the last 10 years of retirement, where every day was Saturday.
Dennis loved his family more than anything else. He enjoyed visiting with family, attending events to support his nieces and nephews, and helped organize a family reunion for several years. His family lovingly referred to him as Uncle Yo, because he always greeted you with a "Yo!" when he called you. He also enjoyed spending time with school classmates and former coworkers who became friends through the years. Dennis was an avid fan of Notre Dame, he visited campus many times to attend games, participate in mass, and light candles in the Grotto for his loved ones.
Dennis is survived by his siblings Dave (MaryAnn) Kaus, Dean (Wanda) Kaus, Nancy Paku, Doug (Michelle) Kaus, and Mary Johnson; nieces and nephews Beth (Shannon) Sweeney, Michael Kaus, Jeremy (Adri) Trout, Josh (Tiera) Kaus, Matt (Cheri) Cottingham, Jason Kaus, Sabrina Deaver, Carolina (Sammy) Gonzalez, Christopher Johnson, Ariel (Justin) Heath, Steven (Shannon) Paku, and Michael Paku; aunt Joyce Brackett, several cousins, and many great nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents John and Hortense Newhouse and Albert and Hattie Kaus, sister in law Ann Kaus, brother in law John Paku, nephew Christopher Kaus and several aunts and uncles.
A visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 4-7pm at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway, Montgomery, IL 60538. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 10am at St. Nicholas Church, 308 High St., Aurora IL 60505. Burial will follow mass at Lincoln Memorial Park, 675 US 30, Aurora, IL 60503. Dennis requested that everyone wear Notre Dame attire or navy blue to celebrate his life in honor of his love of Notre Dame. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Dennis's memory to The Grotto at the University of Notre Dame, c/o Office of Mission Advancement, Congregation of Holy Cross – US Province, PO Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or by email to advancement@holycrossusa.org