Mary Eileen Klaus, 78, Hays, died Monday, July 14, 2008, at Hays Medical Center.

She was born April 7, 1930, in Bogue to George and Mae (Eichman) Martell. She was a graduate of Palco High School and attended Fort Hays State University.

She married George M. Klaus on July 3, 1952, in Damar. He preceded her in death Jan. 14, 1998. She taught school for two years.

She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Auxiliaries and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, all of Hays.

Survivors include three sons, Ken Klaus, Wichita, Glenn Klaus, Hays, and Greg Klaus and wife, Sharon, Sublette; three daughters, Therese Morgan and husband, Lonnie, Hays, Cindy Schroter and husband, Jay, La Crosse, and Gwen Honas and husband, Harold, Ellis; a sister, Eunice Ann Dinkel, Garden City; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles and Kendal Martell.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Hays; burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, both at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 20th and Pine.

A combined VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary rosary will be at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a vigil at 6:30 p.m., both at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Cancer Council of Ellis County in care of the funeral home.