One of the greatest love stories ever told continued on Thursday, April 4, 2024, when SGT Norman A. “Norm” Klages (94) of Lemay, Missouri, was reunited with his beautiful wife, JoAnn (nee King, 1931-1996).
Norman was born January 31, 1930, to Tobias “Toby” & Louisa Klages of Lemay, Missouri.
He was a clever and resourceful child growing up and often reminisced about hot summer nights sleeping outside, making large batches of tamales and St. Louis sauce with the family, digging a cellar under the family’s house, and learning how to rebuild a truck when he was a young teenager.
Norm graduated from Hancock High School on January 16, 1946. He married his high school sweetheart on December 23, 1951, before being deployed days later with the U.S. Army in Unit B Battery 780th Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean War.
He spent two years in Korea, writing letters to JoAnn often. When he returned, he was transferred to the Army Reserves where he finished out eight years of service.
He and JoAnn purchased a house on Willette Terrace where they could grow their family and spend their lives together. He was extremely handy, working as a master carpenter and maintenance worker/bus driver for the Lindbergh School District for 38 years, and helping his children and grandchildren with a variety of projects over the years.
Family-favorite projects include a toy kitchen set, children’s table & chairs, doll bunk beds, Barbie display cases, furniture, games, and much more. In addition to spending time with family, Norm enjoyed woodworking, building models, gardening, and visiting his wife graveside every single day for the past 28 years until they would meet again.
Norman and JoAnn were blessed with a loving family who all live locally and enjoy spending time together.
He will be remembered by his loving children: Debbie James, Bonnie & Mark Sproull, and Curt & Cathy Klages.
Norm enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and had a special relationship with each: Becky & Bryan Schmidt, Tara & Michael Cusumano, Danielle & Aaron Vinson; Daniel & Erin Klages, and SGT Joseph & Ashley Klages.
Norman also loved playing with his great grandchildren who kept him young: Riley Schmidt (14), Peyton Cusumano (13), Jacob Cusumano (9), Charlotte Vinson (4), Colton Klages (2),
Lincoln & Addison Klages (2), and Madelynn Vinson (10months).
He was preceded in passing by his loving wife, JoAnn, son-in-law Don James, sister Anita Meyers, brother Clarence “Bo,” and his parents, Tobias and Louisa.
He is survived by his sisters, Louise Tomasek and Jeanette Kille.
Services will be held Friday, April 12th: Visitation is at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Rd. in St. Louis from 9:00 am - 10:30 am with a
short service to follow.
A private ceremony will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 11:30 am with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association,
PO BOX 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 (https://diabetes.org) would be greatly appreciated.
