Klaus Grunewald

Klaus Grunewald

Born 7/21/1937 Eisenach, Germany – Died 10/7/2025 Lee’s Summit, Missouri

Klaus Grunewald was born on July 21, 1937, in Eisenach, Germany, to Rudolf and Ruth (Heilberg) Grunewald.

His life story begins as so many do; yet followed unexpected shifts which never should be forgotten.

Klaus was relocated, without his parents, to Amsterdam, arriving on December 11, 1938. He remained there with a cousin’s family until his parents were allowed to leave Germany on July 3, 1939. The three then went to London where they had procured permission to stay for a year while searching for more permanent asylum in the United States. They moved to New York City in 1940 where Klaus had all his schooling from grade school to graduate school. He taught Philosophy at various colleges for about eight years, ending in Kansas City, which he deemed a very pleasant place to live. In his own words, he “drifted into the business of Bookdealer of Rare and Scholarly Books” for the next forty-five years.

Klaus married Claudia (Headen) Jarvis, on June 8^th, 1991. They shared a mutual love of the arts, animals, and books. With Claudia came a family; two adult children, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren, all fondly referring to him as Grandpa Klaus.

Klaus had a very witty, dry sense of humor and enjoyed replying with puns. He could be a curmudgeon at times, but he was our curmudgeon we dearly loved, whom the Nazis did not defeat.

Klaus was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolf and Ruth Grunewald.

He is survived by his wife, Claudia Grunewald of the home; step-son, Robert B. Jarvis, II and wife Amanda of Independence, Missouri; step-daughter, Marley Baltz and husband Steven of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; grandchildren, Annice Davis and husband Cody of Sullivan, Missouri, Ian Baltz and wife Astha of Olathe, Kansas,  Connery Jones and husband Kevin of Kansas City, Missouri, Liam Jarvis and Seth Jarvis both of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Jadyn Jarvis of Belton, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Truman, Harrison, Callahan and Shepherd, other relatives and many friends.

A private burial was held at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

The family of Klaus Grunewald will host a Celebration of Life Reception from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. Monday, October 13, 2025 at The Meadows at John Knox Village, 1800 NW O’Brien Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri 64081.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to your favorite “no kill” animal shelter or rescue, in Klaus’ memory.