Klaus Peter Reinhard Jaenisch

Klaus Peter Reinhard Jaenisch was born March 17, 1934 to Walter Reinhard Helmuth Jaenisch and Susanna Heubel in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada. When he was only two years old his family moved back to their home county of Germany. 

Life was difficult in Germany, his parents divorced and he lived with his father and stepmother on a farm until he was 15 years old.  He went on to work on another farm for three years.  When he was 18 he escaped East Germany during the Russian Occupation (before the Berlin Wall) and fled to Switzerland where he stayed for three more years until he saved enough money to make his way back to Canada.

Living in Montreal Canada, Klaus learned to speak English and learned the welding and mechanics trade. He made good money and did a lot of fishing however Canada never felt like home.  He bought a new Volkswagen and decided to emigrate to the United States. He first went to San Francisco to find work on the docks but later he saw an ad for work in Utah and arrived broke in Salt Lake City in February of 1961. At the time he was working for Ajax Presses.  A friend from work introduced him to the Church of Latter-day Saints German Ward where he became a member. On June 29, 1962 he married Sieglinde Erika Freimann (later divorced).  Together they had three children, Holger, Ditmar and Monique. They raised their family in the Holladay 13th ward.

Klaus became a citizen in 1965. He was a hard-working man and usually worked two jobs to support his family.  His main job was a field mechanic for Kennecott, where he retired. He married his second wife, Karen, on April 26, 1996, later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple.

Klaus enjoyed outdoor sports, fishing and photography.  Karen and Klaus have lived in the Garden Heights North Ward area for the past 14 years.   They have met many wonderful friends and neighbors. 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 Garden Heights North Ward. Located at 2220 East Fisher Lane in Salt Lake City with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 am prior to the service.  A viewing will also be held at Holbrook Mortuary located at 3251 South 2300 East in Salt Lake City on Monday November 18, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Survived by sons: Holger (Kristi), Bill (Jeanette), daughters: Carmen (Wes), Mindy (Dan), daughter in law Dianna, brothers: Gerd (Helga), Gunther (Sylvia), Peter (Erika), niece Heidi Werner, 7 grandsons: Falco (Lauren), Marcel, Marcus, Austin (Angella), Dustin (Aimee), Devin (Ali) & Jayden; 7 granddaughters: Daneka, Katarina, Natasha, Kalaya, Serena (Chase), Whitney & Courtney; 6 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters. Preceded in death by son Ditmar, daughter Monique and brother Rolf.

Special thanks to his ward, many kind neighbors and friends Hank (Gail) Liese, Robert (Sherry) Case and the staff at Quality Hospice and staff and friends of Delice Bakery.