George Kluz Jr

After a long and wonderful life, George P. Kluz Jr., 97, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2017, under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Weston. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years, Elaine Kluz, and his children, Linda (Don) Meyer, Whitewater, Allen (Anita) Kluz, Waukesha, Ken (Cyndy) Kluz, Oregon, Nancy Kluz, Arlington Heights, IL.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bryan (Tracy) Fraedrich, Tim (Jennifer) Fraedrich, David Meyer, Jim (Sheri) Meyer, Joseph (Ashlee) Kluz, Rayna Kluz, Hailey (Michael) Walk and Aaron Kluz, as well as 9 great-grandchildren.

He was born May 13, 1920, in Coy, WY, the son of the late George Sr. and Elizabeth (Kukuczka) Kluz. He married Elaine Sharkey on May 11, 1946 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. He and Elaine later settled in Rothschild where they raised their family.

George was a veteran of the U.S. Army-Air Corps and served from 1942-1946 during WWII, where he was stationed in India. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion, as well as a charter member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Rothschild, where he spent many years as an usher and Eucharistic minister. He worked as a Service Manager for 38 years at Rosemurgy Motors, Wausau.

He was a character with a creative spirit that he applied to many aspects of his life. He enjoyed woodworking, re-building cars, as well as building birdhouses and squirrel feeders by re-using non-working items he stored in his workroom. He was proud of his work which included a unique bird feeder using an old vacuum cleaner. He also found beauty in old scraps of wood that he used to build birdhouses that adorned the yard and his wife’s flower gardens. Besides woodworking, he was an avid fan of the Packers, Cubs and Brewers. He also loved camping, hiking in the woods, and golfing. While most people walked the fairway when golfing, he walked through the woods along the fairways picking up errant golf balls left behind. He always ended up with an impressive stash of golf balls that he would later sell.

His greatest treasure in life was spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was at his best as a Grandpa. In watching him as Grandpa, his creativity, humor and kind-heartedness shone brightly.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathleen Rae Kluz. He also outlived his 7 siblings and was preceded in death by Agnes Yetter, Anna Sitko, Rose Wesolek, Marge Griffin, Albert Kluz, John Kluz and Jim Kluz.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2017, at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Rothschild. The Rev. Allan Slowiak will officiate. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Kronenwetter. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until time of services, all at the church, 602 Military Road, Rothschild. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.bestefh.com

His family gives their sincere appreciation for the love and care given to George by the wonderful staff of Rennes.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in his name to St. Mark Catholic Church.