Delbert "Del" L. Klein

Delbert L. Klein, Onalaska, Wisconsin, passed peacefully and quietly on to his eternal reward on Saturday, May 11, 2024.  Del was born in Rickardsville, Iowa on February 8, 1937 to Clarence and Angeline (Steger) Klein.  He grew up on their family farm, attended elementary school in Rickardsville and graduated from high school in Holy Cross, Iowa in 1955.

Del met Janet Theisen, Key West, Iowa – he always said it was love at first sight.  They were married on July 9, 1960, at St. Joseph Church, Key West, Iowa.   They had two children – Amy and Steve.

Del attended college, earning a BA degree from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. He went on to receive his BS and MS degrees from the University of Iowa, and his MBA degree from the University of Wisconsin.  He was a member of the Engineering fraternities, Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and Theta Tau.  His entire working career was with the Trane Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Lexington, Kentucky and in Donnibristle, Scotland working in Engineering and various Management positions within the company. He retired from Trane in 2002.

Jan and Del traveled extensively in the US and Europe, taking advantage of the time spent in Scotland with their family.  They wintered in Arizona for 20 years, being lured there by spring training for the Milwaukee Brewers!

They lived on Lake Arbutus for 12 years after retirement and were members of Neillsville Golf Club and St. Mary’s Church, before returning to Onalaska.

Del is survived by his wife Jan, and his son Steve and wife Ruth, and three grandchildren, Corinne, Penn, and Ivy, along with Ruth’s children, David (Debbie), Luke and Hope and her three grandchildren.  Also survived by his sister Shirley Gasper, brothers, Jim Klein, and Lyle Klein, his in-laws Richard Kuhn (Maribeth) Kuhn, Carol Cooper, Tom and Norma Gibbons, and Janet Theisen, along with many nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.

Waiting to greet Del with outstretched hands is his dear daughter, Amy Beth, who passed away in July 1987, at age 22.   Also preceded by his parents, Jan’s parents, Cletus and Eileen Theisen, his siblings Anna Mae (Melvin) Brimeyer, Marvin (Phyllis Ann) Klein, Gene (Shirley) Klein, in-laws Joan Kuhn, Gary Cooper, Duane Theisen, Mary Ann Klein, and Matt Gasper, nieces Kari Cooper and Marie Theisen.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at ll:00 AM on Friday, May 17th at Blessed Sacrament Church, La Crosse, with visitation prior at 9:30 AM at church.  Rev. Billy Dodge will officiate. Burial will follow in the Catholic Cemetery. Luncheon will be served after the services.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Amy Beth Klein Scholarship Fund at Aquinas Catholic Schools in La Crosse, WI or to any charity of your choice.

Del was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend.  We will miss him so much but rejoice that he is home safely in the arms of Jesus.  I love you, Del.