November 4, 1939 – August 28, 2026
With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to Klaus Haessler. He was a man of faith, family, and service. Klaus passed away on Friday, August 28, 2026 at home with his beloved children by his side.
Klaus was born on November 4, 1939 in Leipzig, Germany to Helmut and Rosemarie (nee Vogeler) Haessler. His family moved to Canada in 1949. As the second oldest of seven siblings, he developed a strong sense of responsibility towards those he loved. He attended high school in Richmond Hill, Ontario where he thrived in Athletics. An Honour Grad of Richmond Hill High School in 1958, he later studied Electronic Technology at Ryerson College. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a young man and dedicated two years to missionary work in California. In 1977, he met Pamela Hiscock through the Church and they got married in 1978, raising four children together. He truly embodied his faith as shown by his favorite scripture – “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17)
The family primarily settled in Dryden, Ontario during the mid-1980s where Klaus worked at the pulp and paper mill. Even after “retirement,” you could find him stocking grocery shelves at Walmart until he turned 80; his coworkers often remarked that he had more energy than many teenagers. Klaus had a deep love for nature and felt connected to God through its beauty while contemplating Creation’s wonders and complexities. For years he enjoyed daily walks around Laura Howe Marsh with his little dog Katie. In addition to this, he drummed with the Dryden Pipe Band during the ’90s and participated actively in the local Toastmasters club for several years. His hobbies included writing poems, hiking, playing sudoku and math games, researching local history and genealogy, singing off-key songs, sharing dad jokes, and serving his church community.
What mattered most to Klaus was spending time with family. All his vacation days when the kids were young were spent on long road trips visiting extended family across Southern Ontario and Alberta. When his daughter Laura began her own family in South Dakota in 2008 it became a great excuse for Klaus and Pam to travel! After all their children had left home, Klaus took several trips back to Germany with siblings to visit relatives there. In both 2019 and again in 2024 he made special trips back with his children to show them where he grew up.
After losing his beloved wife Pamela, Klaus allowed himself some new adventures by selling their home in Dryden and moving to Thunder Bay in 2023. He split time between living off-grid in Kaministiquia (with middle daughter Lisa) and staying nearby (with eldest daughter Joy). Upon moving here he made many new friends within the local LDS congregation; their visits & messages during his short but intense battle with brain cancer brought him much comfort during that time. Always humble about it all-Klaus expressed genuine surprise at how many loved ones came out to see him after receiving news of his diagnosis late June.
Klaus is predeceased by Pamela along with both parents. He leaves behind loving children Rebecca Joy Haessler; Mark Haessler (Liana Murphy); Lisa Haessler (Derek Grizans); Laura Tellberg (Ryan); grandchildren Liam Tellberg & Rylan Tellberg; as well as brothers Guenther (Heide), Jeurgen (Liselotte), Wolfgang (Marilyn), Hartmut (Charlotte) alongside sisters Ingrid Themer & Karin (Harry) Norton who blessed him with numerous nieces & nephews whom he cared for deeply. We also hold close our thoughts for Klaus’ extended family back home including cousins from Germany plus dear friends still residing within Dryden through this difficult time ahead-may we remember him by living life honestly , optimistically , bravely enjoying good food while having lots fun!
Funeral Services for Klaus will take place on Friday September fourth ,2026 at one o’clock pm inside The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints located at two thousand two hundred fifty-five Ponderosa Drive-Thunder Bay. Interment follows reception over Dog River Cemetery grounds afterwards. Visitation opens up noon onwards welcoming families/friends alike.
In memory donations directed toward https://www. alivingtribute. caor TBRHSC Cancer Centre are sincerely appreciated.
Arrangements have been entrusted onto Westfort Chapel found near four hundred twenty West Gore Street crossing James Avenue.
Please sign online condolences via everestofthunderbay. com
