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   Claus John Peukert, age 80, of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, formerly of Nicollet, Minnesota, was called home to eternal life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a courageous battle with cancer on Wednesday, June 21, at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, MN, surrounded by his family.

   Services will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, Minnesota, on July 7, 2023. Visitation will start at 1 pm, with services to follow at 2 pm.  Coffee and dessert will be provided after the service. Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society.

   Claus was born September 5, 1942, in Marburg, Hesse, Germany, to Karl August and Erna (Proehl) Peukert. He and his mother immigrated to the United States in 1951, settling in Holland, MN. He graduated from Ruthton High School in 1961, and attended Mankato State University, earning a degree in education with a focus in life science. 

   While in college, he met the love of his life, fellow education major Diane Rose Loechler. They married on November 12, 1966, and embarked on teaching careers in Nicollet, MN, building their home and raising their family in the same community. 

   Claus spent his entire career teaching biology, chemistry, and earth science at Nicollet Public Schools, retiring in 1999. His work with Nicollet students extended outside the classroom and included teaching driver’s education, advising the science club, and coaching junior high football and track and field. He served as Clerk for the City of Nicollet for more than 20 years and was a charter member of the Nicollet Lions Club serving as president and several club leadership positions. He faithfully served his Lord and Savior Jesus as a church elder and usher at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN. 

   Claus was an avid, enthusiastic, and successful walleye fisherman. Claus cherished his time with his family and friends at the family cabin on Blackwater Lake, directing recreation activities on the dock and spending many hours on the water fishing with family and friends. More recently, he and Diane spent winters in New Braunfels, Texas, with their many friends from the US and Canada (He loved being referred to as a “Winter Texan”.)

   Claus perhaps was most proud of earning his title of Opa. He loved attending his grandsons’ sporting events, band concerts, and parades. He excelled at imparting to his grandsons the acceptable list of excuses and errands sufficient to justify side trips for ice cream, candy, or donuts.  

   Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Diane, of Pequot Lakes, MN, his daughter Kathryn (Phil) Larson of Hibbing, MN, and grandsons Cris and Harri, his son Christopher (Michele) Peukert of Jordan, MN, and sisters Carla Sudenga of Madison, SD and Monica Weatherford of Florence, SD, and  special sisters- and brothers-in-law, “sister and brother outlaws,” nieces, nephews, and their families and many cousins.

   Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.

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