Vivian V. Kluss, 91, of Ketchum, Idaho, passed away at her niece's home with her family at her bedside. She was born Dec. 30, 1917, in Quincy, Ill., to Fred and Clara Knuffman. Vivian's family were the Flying Beckmans, who performed in the Seils-Sterling and Hagenbeck-Wallace circuses. She would fly the trapeze from her mother to her uncle.
Vivian married Ervin Kluss, "Captain Klauder" the lion trainer. She resided with her niece and friend Janet (Tom) Parry. She worked for Pac Bell in Chicago and in Southern California for 32 years as a service representative.
She loved art and animals and was a renowned artist who studied with Walter Foster, Robert Woods, Tom Lynch, Estella Fedell, Marge Yaros and many others and won many awards. Vivian was also a leader for the Young Women Organization of the LDS church for many years. She and her husband, Ervin, are remembered with pictures, etc. in the Bear-a-boo, Wisconsin, Circus Museum.
Vivian is survived by her son, Larry E. Kluss of Corona, Calif.; her grandson, Michael E. (Marti) Kluss; her great-grandson, Sean M. Kluss; her great-granddaughter, Shannon N. Kluss; her niece and nephew-in-law, Janet Parry and Tom Kubin; her niece, Dr. Nancy Parry, of Ketchum, Idaho; and her friend Susan Flandro.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
At the family's request, memorials may be sent to an animal shelter of your choice.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Wood River Chapel in Hailey, Idaho. Interment will be held at Rose Hill Memorial Park of Whittier, Calif.
