Valera (Olson) Klucas, 83, of Oskaloosa, died Friday, April 24, 2026, at the Oskaloosa Care Center where she had received excellent care in the Memory Unit since she was admitted there last October.
Valera Denise was born April 11, 1943, at home in Wadena, Minnesota, the daughter of Arnold and Nina (Lein) Olson. She graduated from Wadena High School with the class of 1961 and she completed a year of college at the Holiness Methodist School of Theology in Minneapolis. She was united in marriage to Robert Klucas on June 13, 1964, and they had three children: Robert “Rob” William, Kevin Bradley, and Shelia Grayce. Valera dedicated her time to caring for their family and home and volunteering at church. She even took her turn as president of the Christian Women’s Club in Wadena one year. In her life, she worked at a wide variety of jobs, from Northwestern Bell (telephone operator), to Nancy’s Knit Nook, to the Dagwood Diner. In 1983, the family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, to join the ministry of Vennard College where she worked as a cook in the dining hall and as a receptionist in the business office. In Oskaloosa, she worked for a while at Subway and at Wendys. She was wonderful cook, a talented baker, and her cookies were top notch. In 1990, she began baking and selling Klucas Kookies – six traditional favorites – out of their home until she retired in 2009, giving her hands some well-deserved rest. She enjoyed Southern Gospel music, reading inspirational books, puzzles and games, spending time with family and friends including touring the town with Bob on their golf cart.
Valera’s commitment to Jesus began at a very early age and she walked faithfully to the end. She regularly took opportunities to worship God, learn about Jesus, grow in the Spirit, and serve the Lord by serving others. She hosted missionaries and evangelists as well as family and friends in their home. Through the years, she has been a member of the Holiness Methodist Church, the Wadena Evangelical Church, the Oskaloosa Evangelical Church, the New Sharon Community Church, and Gateway Church of the Nazarene. She felt led to be baptized at age 71 in 2014.
Her family includes her husband Bob of nearly 62 years; her children and their spouses: Rob (Mary) Klucas of Lincoln, Nebraska; Kevin (Tracy) Klucas of Oskaloosa; and Sheila (Phillip) Schrauben of Pella; thirteen grandchildren, Shaina (Steve), Taylor (Stephanie), Kasey (Bryce), Katelyn (Graham), Emileigh (Kalen), Bradley, Isaac, Zachariah (Lauren), Mary, Ezra, Phoebe, Stephanie, and Johanna; fifteen great grandchildren, Henry, Hazel, Harvey, Lucy, Milo, Juliette, Glorianne, Lucas, Amy Neill, Mikaela, Olen, Grayce, Ilsa, Elias, and Elodie Valera; a sister, Grayce Trosen of Wadena, and a brother, John (Prudy) Olson of Oskaloosa.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Joyce, and sister, Sally Olson.
We’ll have a family visitation at Bates Funeral Home on Friday, May 1, 5:00-7:00 p.m. and the memorial service on Saturday, May 2, 4:00 p.m. at Gateway Church with Reverend Andy Watts officiating. Inurnment will be in the University Park Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made to Gideons International and Oskaloosa Christian School. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
