Given W. Klein, 94, of Ontario, Wis., passed away Monday, Feb. 18, 2013.
He was born at home on the family farm in Bohri’s Valley, a farming community near Fountain City, Wis., on Dec. 10, 1918, to Emil and Adeline (Mueller) Klein in Cochrane, Wis. He attended Bohri’s Valley Grade School and Fountain City High School, where he gave the valedictory address upon his graduation. Given attended the Whitewater State Teacher’s College and graduated in 1940 with a bachelor of education degree. He received a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1962.
Given began his teaching career in Scandinavia High School in Scandinavia, Wis., where he taught business education and social studies and directed the high school band and chorus in 1940–42. In June 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army Signal Corps and spent his basic and specialist training at Camp Crowder, Mo. He was assigned overseas duty with the 999th Signal Service Company and spent nearly three years as a cryptographic technician in the European Theatre of War. He was a member of a radio team that established Advance Communications Bases in all five of the European Battle Zones. His company was awarded the meritorious Service Award for their actions during the war. After his military discharge, he resumed his teaching career at the Fountain City High School, where he taught business education and social studies and coached baseball and basketball.
He married Dorothy Hopf on Nov. 29, 1947, at the Lutheran church in Alma, Wis. In 1960, he moved his family to Ontario, where he served as an administrator for 17 years in the Norwalk-Ontario School District. In 1977, he took an early retirement from administration and continued to teach business education as a part-time teacher in the Cashton High School. He retired for good in 1984.
He was a member of the American Legion posts at Fountain City, Ontario, Cashton and Sparta; the VFW post in Sparta; the Wisconsin Association of District Administers; and the Lions Clubs at Norwalk and Cashton. He was also a member of the Grace Community Church at Ontario.
Given (Fuzzy) was an avid sports enthusiast, participant and competitor. He loved playing baseball, softball, basketball, bowling, golf and table tennis. He was a member of bowling teams in Winona, Minn., and Cochrane, Kendall, Cashton and Sparta and was in four national bowling tournaments. He began golfing at the age of 42, loved the game and has three PGA recognized holes-in-one to his credit. He finally put his clubs to rest at the age of 94.
Given is survived by three daughters, Connie (Paul) McCusker of Dallas, Texas, Karen Steindorf (Don Heidrich) of Ottawa, Ill., and Kristi (Paul) Brandau of Sparta; six granddaughters, Adrienne McKee, Kacy Brandau, Kory (Aaron) Lueck, Katy (Scott) Brown, Shelley (William) Burkett and Amy (Sean) Akerman; and four grandsons, Joshua Steindorf, Jamin (Anna) Steindorf and Joah Steindorf; and he has been blessed with 17 great-grandchildren, one nephew and four nieces.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Dorothy; his father and mother; three sisters, Luverne Klee, Adeline McKuen and Evelyn Wenger; two brothers, Millar Klein and Kenel Klein; a grandson, Matthew Brandau; and a great-granddaughter, Chloe Burkett.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, at Grace Community Church in Ontario. Pastor Bruce Milleman will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation from 1–4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Family and friends are also invited for visitation Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario is assisting the family with arrangements.
