Donald Robert Klose, 80, of Cecil, passed away Friday, June 13, 2014, at the Appleton Medical Center after a brief illness. He was born on March 30, 1934, to the late Eric and Alma (Buettner) Klose, the fourth of six children.
After graduating from high school in 1952, Don continued to work for Mason’s Flowers, where he had worked throughout high school. There he met Suzan (Suki) Mason, and the couple wed in 1956. They had three children before her untimely death from cancer in 1963. Don found love once again when he met Patsy Catencamp, whom he married on Jan. 15, 1966. They had a son together and built a life in Shawano as respected business owners of Mason’s Flowers before selling the business in 1992. Never one to be idle for long, Don soon became employed at Maple Lane Health Care Facility and worked there in maintenance until he finally retired in 2006. Don was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano and was an avid hunter, spending many seasons at the cabin in Mountain that he shared with his brothers. Don and Pat enjoyed several years at their home on Shawano Lake where they delighted in holiday cookouts, visits from the children and grandchildren, and many years of beautiful sunsets on the lake.
Don was a beloved husband, father, uncle and grandfather with a big heart and an even bigger smile. His smile and laughter will always and forever be in the hearts of those who loved him. Heaven will never be cleaner!
Don’s greatest pride and joy was his family, and he is survived by his loving wife, Pat; sons, Don, of Shawano, Jeff, of Neenah, and Paul, of Marinette; daughter, Jeanne, of Truckee, California; and grandchildren, Nicole and Tony Klose, Dustin and Michael Passalalpi, and Tara and Peyton Klose. He is further survived by his brothers, Richard, of Green Bay, and Gerald (Robin), of Muskego; sister, Patsy (Jerry) Beilfuss, of Clintonville; sister-in-law, Mary Erbrecht, of Shawano; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Even as family dynamics changed throughout the years, Don always kept his home, heart and arms open to daughters-in-law, Lisa Lemhouse, Margaret Klose and Deanna Klose.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; his first wife, Susanne; two brothers, Kenneth and David; sister-in-law, Amy Klose; brother-in-law, Ed Erbrecht; and great-nephew, Craig Klose.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2014, at St. James Lutheran Church in Shawano with the Rev. Ted Andrada officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.
Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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