Jean G. Kletzke

Jean G. Kletzke, 84, of La Crescent, MN passed away on Monday, December 5, 2016 at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. He was born on March 30, 1932 in La Crosse, WI to George and Philomene (Blasen) Kletzke. Jean lived on South 2nd St. in La Crescent, MN his entire life. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war. Jean ran the apple stand at S. 2nd and Walnut Sts. He commuted to the farm where he raised apples and ran beef cattle. He loved hunting, fishing and trapping muskrats. He started trapping at age 12 and trapped every year thru age 82 (except when he was in the service). He also loved to gamble and had season tickets to the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra every year.
Jean remained a bachelor until he married Lillian in 2002. He was 70, she was 65. He was a member of Gittens-Leidel American Legion Post 595 of La Crescent, the La Crescent Area Historical Society and president of Prospect Hill Cemetery Assoc. for over 30 years – resigning this year. He also belonged to the Red Wing Collectors Society.
He is survived by his wife Lillian of La Crescent, step-son Michael (Charmaine) Smith of Brownsville, MN, step grand-daughters Shauna (Ross) Mundinger of La Crosse and Samantha Smith of Brownsville, MN, nephews Richard (Tracey) Tumaniec of Eau Claire, WI and William Tumaniec of Pigeon Falls WI, great niece Marie and great nephews Nicholas and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister and brother-in-law Joyce (Richard) Tumaniec.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Church of the Crucifixion in La Crescent. Rev. Gregory Havel will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery in La Crescent. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Crucifixion Church, Prospect Hill Cemetery or La Crescent Area Historical Society. The Schumacher – Kish Funeral & Cremation Services, La Crescent Chapel is assisting the family.