Hans Ullrich Claus
Obituary
Watsonville, CA - Hans Ullrich Claus, 91, longtime Watsonville resident passed away March 29, 2024 after a short illness.
A native of Hamburg, Germany, born in 1933, Hans grew up in challenging times as war gripped the European continent. At the age of 15 he began his studies in Hotel Management at the Hotel Continental in Hamburg. At age 18, in 1951, he joined the crew of the ocean liner MS Italia, of the Home Lines Company, as a steward and his world adventures began. He sailed with the Italia on the Hamburg-New York-Kingston, Jamaica route for several cruises. On one cruise he even had the honor of serving Boris Karloff (aka Frankestein).
On another of these cruises, he befriended the family of a Lutheran Minister from Fresno who ultimately became his sponsor, enabling him to immigrate to the United States in 1953. In appreciation, he took Claus as his last name.
His professional career was extremely varied. He worked as a photographer in the grocery business with Delux Foods, which brought him to the San Jose and Watsonville areas. Here he met his wife Hedy and together they built their life. He worked 20+ years for Ametek-Pacific Extrusion as a Machinist/Supervisor, briefly in the frozen food industry for NorCal-Crosseti, and finally 10 years for the City of Watsonville as a Technician at the Wastewater Treatment plant, finally retiring in 1998. He proved he could adapt to whatever task he needed to perform to serve his family.
Hans loved to fish, play golf, play bingo, gamble in Reno, Las Vegas, and Laughlin, and was a particular fan of lottery scratchers. He was a bit of a fixture at the local CVS scratcher kiosk as he sought his big win. He came out ahead overall with a significant scratcher win of which he was most proud.
Most obvious to all who met him was his happy disposition. Always ready with a smile and a hearty laugh. He never met a stranger, everyone was his friend, and he cared deeply for his family and friends. We all will miss him dearly.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Hedy Hermine Claus. He is survived by his son Erik Ullrich Claus and daughter-in-law Kim Claus of Gilroy, grandson Zachary Claus of Bozeman, MT., nieces Karen and Linda Jennings of Watsonville, great nephew Jacob Armintrout and great niece Kristy Jennings of Watsonville, and great-great niece and nephew Jocelyn and Dane Jennings.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 5:00-9:00 pm, services on Monday, April 15, 2024 at 10:00 am Mehl's Colonial Chapel, 222 East Lake Ave. in Watsonville, and finally internment at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.
?In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Moreland Notre Dame School, 133 Brennan St, Watsonville (http://www.snddenca.org) or to the Pajaro Valley Historical Association, 332 East Beach St. Watsonville (http://www.pajarovalleyhistory.org).
Published in The Pajaronian · April 11, 2024