Stephen R Klusmeyer

Stephen (Steve) Ray Klusmeyer died Friday at 5 p.m. October 3, 2025 at his home in 24th Place Nursing Home, Norman, Oklahoma at the age of 75 years, 5 months, 16 days. He was born April 17, 1950 to Carl Monroe and Betty Jane (Call) Klusmeyer in Winfield, Kansas. He was raised in Blackwell, Oklahoma until his family moved to the Prairie Chapel area east of Blackwell. He attended Prairie Chapel District #48 Elementary School grades 1 – 8 graduating in 1964. He graduated in 1968 from Blackwell High School. He then acquired Associate of Science at Northern Oklahoma College, class of 1970; Associate of Arts at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, Class of 1972; Bachelor of Theology at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, Class of 1974. From 1989 through 2002 he attained several computer programming, site design, and technician certifications.

While attending Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, he met Brenda Sue Gordon. The couple was married 42 years until her death in 2016. They were blessed to add Caleb Stephen to their family in 1990 who was their everything. He and his late wife Brenda served together for 40 years in various church ministries, including Children’s pastors and video production in various Free Will Baptist Churches, Trinity Church of the Nazarene, and Crossings Community Church. In addition to his service to God, Steve worked various jobs throughout his life from dishwasher, route sales, computer site designs, and communications. He retired in April 2017. In March, 2019 he became engaged to Sharla Armstrong Rhea. They had dated in high school and then gone their separate ways before reuniting later in life.

In addition to his fiancé, children, grandchildren and extended family, Steve enjoyed his many friendships, OU sports, collecting memorabilia, traveling and writing. He published the “Prairie Chapel Kid” in 2015. He had completed the manuscript for “Lemon Tree” based on Genesis 37 – 50 and paraphrased by his quote in 2025: “God gives me lemons, but God makes lemonade and I get to serve the lemonade”. He had encouraged Cade to illustrate this book and pursue having it published. He loved his Savior and would share his faith with all. He was truly “Blessed2Bless”(Genesis 12: 1-3) in all that he did. He always wanted folks to know “You Matter to Me” just as we matter to God and dreamed of it going viral. He was afflicted with Guillain-Barre Syndrome the last two years of his life but never complained. He maintained his faith that he could make “lemonade” from the lemons (GBS) served to him and he did. His life mattered to us and we will forever cherish our memories of him as a doting dad, Opa, FUNcle, brother and friend.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years Brenda, parents, Carl and Betty Klusmeyer, and great-nephew CJ Magner.

He is survived by his son Caleb Stephen Klusmeyer, grandchildren Cade, Raymond, Sophia, and Mia; fiancé Sharla Rhea; sister Carla J. (Jerry) Magner; nephew Michael (Keyna) Magner; nieces Crystal “Tex” (Tommy) Bowman and Tamra “Nickel” Magner, and his beloved dog Schokolade.

Visitation Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Advantage Funeral Home 7720 S. Pennsylvania Avenue, OKC. Celebration of Life at Shekinah Fellowship Church, 412 SW 104th Street, OKC and Committal services 2 p.m. October 9, 2025 at Resthaven Cemetery 500 SW 104th Street, OKC with Pastor Lance Ward officiating.