Kenneth J. Klaas

After 65 years of service to God, family, and community, Kenneth John Klaas, of Lancaster, WI, received his final call on Saturday, October 16, 2021, and was welcomed home by his heavenly father after a well-fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Ken managed his illness with optimism, strength, and grace. A loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend to everyone, he was surrounded by his family as he received his final call home.

Born November 8, 1955 to Floyd and Lorraine (Moore) Klaas, Ken grew up in Lancaster and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1973. He and Jane (Winkler) were united in marriage at St Clement Catholic Church on July 19, 1975. Together they raised three children and spent their lives caring for and supporting the community they loved.

Author Albert Pine once said, “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” To know Ken was to know you always had someone in your corner to lend a hand, an ear, a smile or a hug. He served his people well, and when you heard that infectious laugh (or the voice of Grover), you always knew he was nearby. Ken joined Farmers Telephone Co. in 1978 and continued to serve as manager for TDS Telecom until his retirement in 2020. His life outside of work was devoted to service of his church, family, and community. Ken joined the U.S. Navy Reserves in 1991 and served as a Seabee for eight years. He was a devoted member of St Clement Catholic Church, served the Lancaster Fire Dept for 30 years, the Lancaster Police and Fire Commission, was Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 2820, and commander of American Legion Post 109. He served as chair of the Lancaster Community Fund, and later board chair of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin. Between all that, he still made time for anyone who needed him, and enjoyed an occasional canoe trip down the Grant River, a round of golf, and happy hour with a beer in hand.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Jane, daughter Carey (Jimmy) Howard, son Nick (Erin) Klaas, and son Bart (Morgan) Klaas; 6 grandchildren (Ross, Lukas, & Greyson Howard, and Aiden, Braxton, & Emerson Klaas); brothers Ray (Lynne) Klaas, Bill (Cindy) Klaas, and John (Tammy) Klaas; sisters Mary (Bill) Wisneski, and Kathleen (Donald) Lau; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Ken was proceeded in death by his parents, parents-in-law Donald “Jiggs” and Shirley Winkler, sister and brother-in-law Dixie & Dennis Lau, sister-in-law Joyce Klaas, and nieces Kim Myers and Chelsie Winkler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 23, 2021, with Fr. William Vernon officiating. Lancaster Fire Department final call will be held prior to the funeral. Burial with military honors at St. Clement Cemetery will immediately follow the service. Family and friends may call on Friday, October 22, 2021, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at St. Clement Catholic Church. Knights of Columbus rosary will be said at 3:45 PM prior to the wake service. Friends may also call on Saturday from 10:00 AM until time of services at the church. Those in attendance will be required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.

In lieu of plants and flowers, donations and cards of condolences may be sent to Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, c/o Kenneth J. Klaas, PO Box 30, Lancaster, WI 53813. All donations will be dispersed to Ken’s favorite organizations: Lancaster Food Pantry, Lancaster Community Fund, St. Clement School Endowment Fund, and the Lancaster Fire Department.