Eugenee Rae Kluga

Eugenee Rae Kluga of Santa Rosa, California, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2026, just three months shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on August 29, 1926, in Oakland, California, and grew up in the Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco areas, a true San Francisco Bay Area native. She graduated from Berkeley High School in 1944.

Eugenee lived a full and resilient life. Having come of age during the Great Depression and World War II, she learned early the value of hard work and resourcefulness. In addition to raising four children, she worked for many years in the grocery business with Safeway. She took great pride in earning a “man’s salary” at a time when women were typically paid far less. Yet her greatest accomplishment was her extraordinary ability to make a dollar stretch. Eugenee elevated frugality to an art form, consistently providing her family with top-quality meals, clothing, and experiences on a shoestring budget.

Later in life, Eugenee discovered a passion for fine art. As a member of the Red Bluff Art Association, she became an accomplished watercolor artist. Her paintings were highly regarded hroughout the North Valley, and she successfully sold many of her works.

Eugenee was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Benjamin T. Kluga; her mother, Minnie Etta Kuhlman; her father, William Wellington Lowell; and her beloved sisters, Alta Ryder (Ken and Norma) and Erma Nettles.

She is survived by her children: son Richard Barclay (Alissar), and daughters Kathleen Archer (William), Maureen Rich (Martin), and Jennifer Price (Norm); nephews Leon and Scott Nettles; as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to Reyna Guzman-Padron for her loving and dedicated care of Eugenee during her final year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Eugenee’s memory to the Salvation Army Silvercrest in Santa Rosa or the Red Bluff Art Association.