Herbert was born on September 11, 1944, in Manor, Texas to the late David Klaus and Alma (Wolf) Klaus. He attended Taylor High School until the 10th grade, when he was called upon to take care of the family farm following his father’s illness. Despite obtaining only a GED, Herbert had a very successful career at the City of Austin, rising from a street laborer to an engineering technician. His responsibilities included determining traffic patterns and flows, designing intricate intersection patterns, and then supervising numerous employees to achieve the City’s traffic control goals and objectives. He retired in 1993. However, at the request of the City of Austin, Herbert returned to work part time, and then permanently retired in the early 2000’s.
Herbert’s wishes came true in 2000 when he purchased his own farm and built a house, living the country life again with his wife. He enjoyed restoring his Farmall Super C, that was the same tractor model he drove as a child in Coupland, Texas. He enjoyed playing dominoes with family and friends, going to casinos, attending tractor shows with his Uncle Virgil, farming hay, raising cattle, tinkering in his workshop, welding and repairing electric fencers and radio equipment. He embraced the nickname “Mr. Fix-It”, which was lovingly given to him based on his fondness of repairing things for his family and building what was needed on the farm. No truer nickname was ever given, and he was proud of it. He also provided hours of fun to his sons and grandsons, filling up the gas tank on the “little car” and “minibike”, maintaining that job over multiple generations of Klaus boys. One of his greatest joys was being surrounded by his wife, sons, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and their spouses and great-granddaughter. He was so proud of how everyone came together to bale hay and look after the cattle on the farm. Herb’s latest and perhaps favorite pastime was spending time with his great-granddaughter Michaela. He finally got a girl!!
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Elaine (Kaspar) Klaus; Sons Herb Klaus Jr. and wife Lori; Kendall Klaus; 3 Grandsons: Christopher Klaus and wife Stephanie; and great-granddaughter Michaela, Hunter Klaus, Cody Klaus, and fiancé Allison Carnes.
The family will receive family and friends at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660 on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm with Rosary at 7:00pm.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 19th at 10:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 408 Washburn St, Taylor, Texas 76574.
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