Father Charles Henry Klutz

Father Charles Henry Klutz, age 91, a 12-year resident of the Colville, Wash., community, passed away on September 15, in Colville. Fr. Klutz was born on Sept. 5, 1934 in Patterson, Calif., the son of Frank Paul and Wilhemina Irene (Camara) Klutz.

He was raised in the Patterson and Petaluma, Calif., area, where he attended and graduated from high school. He then attended college, earned his bachelor’s degree, and was ordained a priest in the Eastern Catholic Church in 1963. Fr. Klutz began a family and they resided in Seattle, Wash., where he served the Priest of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East. In the late 1970s, Fr. Klutz relocated to Chicago where he continued his work at St. John’s Holy Apostolic Assyrian Catholic Church of the East. He retired in 2008 and continued in service of the church for five years until moving to Colville with his wife, Barabara. Barbara passed away on Oct. 24, 2013 and Fr. Klutz remained in Colville near family.

He was a voracious reader from titles of fiction and philosophy to history and theology. Fr. Klutz worked in participation with Arch Deacon George Toma on the creation of the Catechism. He anchored himself in the sacraments and a life in service to the church. His prayer life was unceasing to the point that he wore the sacramental beads into pieces. Fr. Klutz loved to turn introductions into friendships and was fully present to those sharing in passing moments to continued conversation and presence. His wisdom, faith and love for people will be dearly missed.

Fr. Klutz was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Marilyn Ginger.

Fr. Klutz is survived by his sons, David Cole (Kris) of Texas City, Texas, Richard Klutz (Ruby Tamayo) of Mukilteo, Wash.; daughters, Rebecca Kouf of Colville, Wash., Ruth Ratzlaff (Terry) of Enderby, British Columbia; siblings, Robert Klutz and Marjean Cannon both of California, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Father Charles H. Klutz will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville, Wash. The graveside service will follow at the Calvary Cemetery in Colville. Arch Deacon George Toma will officiate. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at danekasfuneralchapel. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.