Klaus Oefele

Klaus Dieter Oefele
February 23, 1946 - November 27, 2025

Klaus Dieter Oefele, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on November 27, 2025, at the age of 79.

Born in Stuttgart, Germany, on February 23, 1946, Klaus immigrated to the United States with his parents, Rudolf and Lotty Oefele, in 1956 at the age of 10. He graduated from South High School in Salt Lake City in 1964 and proudly joined the U.S. Army the following year. Serving as a German translator and master gunner, Klaus earned numerous accolades before his honorable discharge in 1967.

Klaus dedicated over 30 years of his career to Salt Lake City Parks and Recreation, where he served as an administrator. He cherished his time maintaining the city's landscapes, driving snowplows, and sharing his deep knowledge of plants with anyone eager to learn. His stories of those years brought joy to family and friends.

Beyond his career, Klaus found joy in bowling leagues at Fat Cats and in traveling with his wife, Diana, whom he married in 2005. Together, they shared countless adventures and treasured visits to casinos across the country.

Klaus was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolf and Lotty Oefele. He is survived by his loving wife, Diana; his sister, Peggy Oefele (Tony); his daughter, Misty Oefele (Chris); his step-sons, Tim Goodrich (Donna), Troy Goodrich (Kimberly), and Tony Goodrich; his grandchildren, Dillyn Monsen (Ashley), Destanee Anderson (Rob), and Jerzee Johnson; his step-grandchildren, Justin Goodrich (Cassandra), Jordan Goodrich, Stanley Bradshaw (Abby), Ozzie Canales, Samantha Goodrich, and Madelyn Goodrich; and three great-grandchildren, Tatum, Sailor, and Deytona.

A memorial service will be held on January 10, 2025, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Homes Gathering Hall, 4306 S Redwood Rd, Taylorsville, UT 84123. Guests are invited to join for a light dinner and the sharing of memories to celebrate Klaus's remarkable life.

Klaus will be remembered for his dedication, wisdom, humor, and the love he gave so freely to his family and community. His legacy lives on in the stories he told, the landscapes he cared for, and the lives he touched.