- Date Of Birth: June 13, 1950
- Date Of Death: July 9, 2014
- State: Michigan
Died July 9, 2014 at North Memorial Hospice Center in Brooklyn Center, MN. Klemet was born June 13, 1950 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Robert D. and Donna Mae (Rockman) Preus. Klemet was a joyful theologian his entire life. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne IN, in 1972, followed by Master of Divinity (MDIV) and Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, in 1976 and 1979, respectively. In 1977, Klemet was ordained as a pastor in the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod and served congregations, in Ypsilanti, MI, Grand Forks, ND, Woodland, CA, Danville, CA and most recently, Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN (1999-2014). Klemet served as President of Higher Things Inc. from 2001-2009. He also served in numerous boards and offices, most recently on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota South District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and the Board of Regents for Concordia University, Wisconsin.
Pastor Preus authored two books. The Fire and the Staff provides a Lutheran account of the purpose and value of worship in the daily life of Christians; Klemet contrasts the comfort and power of traditional Lutheran worship with contemporary trends. What They Need to Hear is an intimate collection of letters written to Klemets dying father-in-law, which shows the comfort of Christian truth by answering modern challenges in an honest and compelling way. Klemet also wrote many articles in Lutheran journals and magazines. He had become a popular speaker at conferences for pastors and laypeople alike. Audiences continually appreciated Klemets ability to convey difficult concepts in clear and simple language with a trademark wit and humor.
Klemet loved the Northwoods of Minnesota where he enjoyed a cabin on Gunflint Lake. He was an avid hiker, enjoyed cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing as well. He was an outstanding chef, whose delightful meals will be sorely missed by family and friends. Klemet is survived by his wife, the love of my life, Janet, his mother, Donna, his four children, Klemet, Rachel (Rob) Mattern, Katrina (Phil) Caron and Eve, nine brothers and sisters and 46 nieces and nephews. Above all, Pastor Klemet Preus took great joy in serving Christs Church, where he richly and daily announced forgiveness and life, given by grace, through faith in Christ alone, and not because of ourselves. Confidence in the Lord Jesus poured from Klemets heart and pen to the last.
