Klaas Kaat

Klaas Kaat, 85, died peacefully Sunday, March 27, 2011 at the Hospice Home in Dade City, Florida after losing his battle with cancer. He was the oldest of three brothers and was preceded by them in death: Marius and Casper Kaat.

At his request, no service will be held.

Mr. Kaat was born September 30, 1925 in Rotterdam, Netherland.

He served in the Dutch Labor Corps in WWII with his brother Marius. He went on to serve in the Dutch East Indies subsequent to WWII, for an additional three years of military service.

Mr. Kaat was an active member of the Community of Christ Church. He came to the States in 1951 and attended Graceland College where he met and married Beverly Jane Knight. They were married for 34 years. Beverly survives him.

He is also survived by his three children: Anita Joy, Cynthia Darlene, and Duane Allen; his grandchildren: Staci Marie, Mellissa Ann, Maya Olivia, Sonja Elizabeth, and Benjamin Ernest; his great grandchild: Crosby Marie; and his special companion Ida Koekebakker of Canada.

He lived most of his life in the Tampa Bay area and worked as Comptroller for ArtCraft; ArtCraft/Heath; and then Heath & Company, Sign Company in Oldsmar, Florida.

Mr. Kaat had a passion for travel, history, science and art, etc. He spoke four languages. He was an avid reader and enjoyed learning. He collected plates, stamps, coins, and purchased any item that he thought was beautiful…just for beauty’s sake.

In spite of its wrenching pain, he faced his shadowed valley of death with courage. St. Augustine said, 'Don't cry for me but remember the most important things of my life and what I represented in my life and make that your memory of me, not my death.'