Ernest C. Klimpke

Ernest C. "Ernie" Klimpke 88, 116 George Street, Athens, died Monday, February 19, 2007 at his home under the care of Ministry Home Care Hospice Services surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 7, 1918 in the town of Johnson, son of the late William and Anna (Lehman) Klimpke. On April 3, 1990 he married Irene Schreiner in Chicago. She survives. Ernie farmed in the town of Halsey and Rietbrock for many years. He worked various other jobs which included the Athens feed mill, mechanic for Borchardt & Streamer, B & J Equipment, janitor at St. Anthony school and church, bus driver for Martin and Howard Eder, route driver for Mobil gas in Athens, owned and operated Betty & Ernie's tavern, driver for Marathon County Meals on Wheels and also worked at the Town of Halsey dump. Some of Ernie's favorite pastimes included playing cards, fishing, deer hunting, throwing darts, horseshoes, dancing and tending to his vegetable gardens but he always found time to relax at the cottage on Spirit Lake. Ernie belonged to the Athens Sno Pak and was a past member of the A & H Snowmobile Club and the Poniatowski Dare Devils. Ernie served in the United States Army from 1939 until 1945 during D-Day, the bloodiest event in American History, with the Co. F 10th Infantry. He also served in Iceland from 1942 until 1944 and also served in the Battle of the Bulge from December 16, 1944 until January 25, 1945 in the Red Star Division. Ernie recently took a trip to Washington, D.C. on May 26th-31st of 2004 in honor of the WWII memorial dedication. He was also a member of the American Legion Chapman-Belter Post #4 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Andrew J. Sutter Post #8527, both of Athens. Ernie was a life member of the Combat Infantry Men's Association, Athens Voluntary Fire Department and a charter member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, serving as an usher for many years. Survivors include his wife Irene Klimpke, Athens, five children, Joanne (Robert) Schug, Athens, Arthur (Karla) Klimpke, Medford, Mary Ann Oelke, Weston, John (Brenda) Klimpke, Kenai, Alaska and Mark (Shelia) Klimpke, Clear Lake, Minn., four step children, Kathryn Sapoznick, Skokie, Ill., Edwin (Pat) Lenard, Cadott, Susan (Don) Wiesman, Edgar and Mary Jo (Leon) Werner, Edgar, 20 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren, one daughter-in-law, Patricia Klimpke, Colby along with many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter, Darlene Klimpke, one son Carl Klimpke, two grandchildren, Cindy Schug and Scott Klimpke, three brothers, Walter Klimpke Sr., Herbert Klimpke and Clarence Klimpke Sr., and one sister Gertie Hoffman. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2007 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. The Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery, Athens. Friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday evening followed by a VFW memorial service all at the Athens funeral home. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Ernie's name. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff with Ministry Home Care Hospice Services for the wonderful care extended to Ernie during his illness.