Obituary of Stefan Erwin Kloos
Stefan “Steve” Erwin Kloos
October 20, 1929 ~ January 23, 2020
It is with great sadness and sense of loss that the family of Stefan Kloos announce his passing on January 23, 2020. Stefan was 90 years of age.
Stefan “Steve” was born in Transylvania, Romania and at age 15, with his family, fled to Austria during the second world war. He was raised in Wels, Austria, earned an Agricultural degree in Vienna where in the mid 1950’s he met the love of his life, Maria.
They loved to dance in the Viennese ball rooms, but it was the allure of adventure and opportunity in far away places that fired his passion. He traveled to Canada as part of his agricultural degree practicum and landed in Brisco, B.C.
Through words in letters he described this wild, newfound nirvana and asked Maria to take a leap of faith and join him to create a new life. She arrived in Calgary, Alberta in October 1957 with one large suitcase and eager anticipation. They married that October and started their partnership in a one room cabin in Brisco. It had electricity, but no running water or inside “facilities”. With limited proficiency in the English language, everyday was a new adventure. It was a far-flung change from Viennese ball rooms, but love knows no boundaries. Steve worked long days in the logging industry, they hunted, built their own first home, had three children within five years, had flourishing gardens and affirmed that Canada was the land of opportunity that would be forever their home.
At age 35, Steve went to trade school and received his automotive mechanic ticket after which they went on to purchase Lake Auto Service. They owned and operated it as a successful family business for more than 40 years.
During those years the family skied at Panorama and hiked almost every mountain there was in the Columbia Valley and beyond. Maria and Steve were very active in the hiking club with ample adventures and stories that involved many local families. Mount Nelson was the most noteworthy of those adventures and Steve, coaxing many friends and family, had climbed it 14 times, the last time at age 72. In 1986, with his two sons, 5’9” Steve carried a 6’ cross to the top of the Mount Nelson which still stands signalling a landmark to climbers that they’ve made it to its peak.
They enjoyed skiing with their children and grandchildren till age 75 and in later years, gardening was their passion. Maria and Steve were known for their commitment to early morning walks and were still seen on their route these past few years.
Steve will be lovingly remembered for his work ethic, commitment to his family, community and passion for leaving both better than he found it.
Steve is survived by the love of his life, Maria his wife of 63 years, his daughter Marion (Marcel) LaBrie, their family Justin, Erin, Raedyn LaBrie and Tyler, Deanna, Calum LaBrie, his son Harald (Samantha) Kloos and their family Sarah and Leona Kloos, and Barb, Nicole and Blair Kloos. He was predeceased by his son Erwin Kloos.
At Steve’s request there will be no funeral service or celebration of life. His final wish for all would be to take a walk, hike a mountain, care for this country but mostly love your family.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society hsf.donorportal.ca/Donation/Donation, a charity of ones choice or Summit Trail Makers Society. summittrailmakers@gmail.com
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.
Condolences for the family can be offered at:
www.mcphersonfh.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Stefan
Erwin
Steve
Kloos 1929 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Cranbrook, Province: Colombie britanique