Klavdiya (pronounced Claudia) Kutsayev, age 89, of Elko New Market, died suddenly at her home on Thursday, January 15, 2015. Klavdiya was born in Moscow, Russia, on January 10, 1926 and lived and worked the majority of her life in Russia.  Very little is known about her history, including her parentage, as the majority of her family was annihilated during the Hitler and Stalin eras.  Her husband, Nickolai Kutsayev, a pastor in an underground Baptist church in Belarus was imprisoned for 3 years from 1971-1974 for his belief in God.  Some of her family just “disappeared” and their whereabouts are unknown.  Despite all this hardship, Klavdiya was a peaceful, happy woman, with a smile always on her face.  Klavdiya and Nickolai moved to America in 1996 until 2001, when Nickolai wanted to go back to Belarus to die in the homeland. Klavdiya moved back in 2006 to be with her children, most of whom had emigrated here.  Her positive attitude, kindness, and the peace she exuded served as an inspiration to her family; she will be deeply missed.

Klavdiya is survived by 4 sons and 3 daughters, Tatyana (& Nikolay) Popov of Elko New Market, Alex (& Valentina) Kutsayev of Florida, Lyubov (& Vatslav) Dolo of Washington, Vladimir (& Roza) Kutsayev of Germany, Nikolay (& Tamara) Kutsayev of Florida, Vera (& Alex) Kkushnir of Florida, Yurie (& Zhana) Kutsayev of Florida; 31 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Nikolay Kutsayev in 2005; 2 known brothers, Mike Famin & the other name unknown; sister, Tatyana Zaharova.

Private services will be held Monday, January 19, 2015.