Clifford John "Kippy" Kleven

Clifford John Kleven, age 74, known by family as "Kippy" passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025.

Cliff had been very well cared for by the Tomah VA Hospice Care Team. He fought a courageous battle against metastatic lung cancer.

Cliff was born March 3, 1951, in Madison, Wisconsin to Clifford and Ruth (Myrland) Kleven. Cliff graduated from LaFollette High School in 1969. He was employed at White Trucks, Kayser Ford, Thermo King, and Polk Diesel as a mechanic. Cliff served in the U.S. Navy from 1974-1977. He served on the U.S.S. Forrestal Aircraft Carrier. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW and DAV.
Cliff was united in marriage to Kimberlin Strait on June 13, 1981, in Dane, WI.

Cliff did beautiful leather craft work. He enjoyed playing various games, especially cribbage. He also taught some CNA's, and 5 year old great-niece Reagen to play cribbage…by the way, she won the game. He loved football and enjoyed hosting Super Bowl parties. Cliff thoroughly enjoyed extending hospitality to family and friends from Christian Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. He enjoyed mini golf, fishing trips to Canada, trips to Door County, WI., and Mackinac Island, MI. with Kim. Cliff looked forward to ATV trips to Northern WI with Tom, Marilyn, brother-in-law Wayne Mau, among others.

Cliff is survived by his wife of 44 years Kim; a brother Tom; a sister Marilyn Mau; brother-in-law Joseph (Melinda) Strait; Frank Hauge; sister-in-law Bernice Strait; nephews and nieces Derek (Melissa), Ryan (Paula), and Darren Schwenn; Todd (Jessica), Sheldon, Curtis, Christopher Kleven; Stephanie Hauge; Michelle (Glenn) Racette; Chris (Jolyn) Strait; great-nieces Lillian and Reagen Schwenn, Civic Sittig (Hauge), and Piper Strait; great-nephews Spencer and Braedyn Stone (Hauge), Wyatt, and Luke Strait, and great-nephew Waylen Sittig. Also, many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and Kim's; brother Terry; brother-in-law Wayne Mau, and Clatten Strait; sister-in-law Geri Hauge, and other relatives and friends.

Cliff's sense of humor, generosity, hospitality, hugs, and concern for others will be missed.