Alfreda Claus

Alfreda Claus, 92, walked into the presence of the Lord surrounded by her family at home, on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona.

She was born on February 26, 1933, in Lawton, Oklahoma, to James Henry and Mabel Aunkohau Tsoodle. Her mother died when she was two years old and she was raised by her father's brother and his wife, George and Margaret Hunt Tsoodle, whom she knew as "Mama and Papa." Alfreda was a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.

She attended elementary school and high school in Mountain View, Oklahoma. She played the clarinet in the band and was a member of the Tigers women's basketball team. She graduated from St. Anthony Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse (RN) in 1954.

She married Reverend H. Thomas "Sonny" Claus on August 28, 1954. She served over 60 years of committed Christian ministry alongside her husband among their own Native American people throughout North, Central and South America. She has been a living example of a woman of wisdom, strength, diligence, gentleness and compassion (Proverbs 31:10-31). She has lived a faithful life of prayer and commitment to her Lord and Savior, her husband and family.

Survivors include her children: Huron Thomas Claus and his wife, Lois; daughters Cynthia Ann Claus and Sharolyn Ruth Claus, all of Phoenix, Arizona; four grandchildren: Sonny Claus; Melissa Stone and husband, Daniel; Adam and Spencer Piron; and seven great-grandchildren: Rei Lyn and Cecil Claus; Hannah, Hudson, Isabel and Ivory Stone; and Rose Piron.

She is preceded in death by her husband, H. Thomas "Sonny" Claus, her parents and siblings: Lorraine Moore, Fred Tsoodle, Mildred Hamilton, Hawley Tsoodle, Brennan Tsoodle, Leo Tsoodle, Vernon Tsoodle, Sr., Carol Jean Bear, Voicey and Johnny Tsoodle.

A viewing for family and friends will be held from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, 20 West Main Street, Carnegie, Oklahoma.

Funeral services to celebrate her life will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Ray and Martha's Funeral Home, 20 West Main Street, Carnegie, Oklahoma, with Rev. Huron Claus and Craig Smith officiating.

The burial will be at the Rainy Mountain Tribal Cemetery, Mountain View, Oklahoma.