Jeffrey Ross "Jeff" Klaiber

Jeffrey Ross Klaiber
"Jeff"
Jeff found peace with God on October 7, 2023. He was born on February 15, 1962, in Glen Cove, NY. His family moved to Evanston, IL where at age six, speedskating entered his and his siblings' lives, with his family spending weekends driving to out-of-state speedskating meets. Attending Evanston Township High School, Jeff was a good student who played soccer and was a varsity baseball pitcher but come autumn he was submitting homework assignments via fax to his teachers as he trained and raced on the ice in Germany and throughout Europe. Speedskating was central to Jeff's entire life, and it introduced him to world travel. After making two Olympic teams (1988 and 1992), he coached others at all levels, from beginner to Olympic level.
Jeff graduated from the University of Calgary and earned his Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Marquette University. He was very intelligent, intuitive, and creative. He filled his life to the brim with activities such as stand-up comedy (surprising acquaintances with his dead-pan humor), being a radio disc-jockey for oldies and rock stations in Milwaukee and Chicago (impressing and educating audiences with his wealth of music knowledge) and taking up acrylic painting as a hobby (a life-long desire).
Jeff put his psychology background, his keen ability to summarize information, and his great writing skills to work as a research analyst and brand strategist in the marketing fields in Milwaukee and Chicago. Later in life, he became a substitute teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools. He was blessed with the opportunity to be a long-term substitute teacher at St. Sebastian Catholic School in Milwaukee, where he brought fun and love to the classroom.
Jeff possessed one of the kindest souls. He was very empathetic toward others. He loved talking with other people, learning about their pursuits and passions.
After breaking his hip while inline skating the summer of 2005, he became addicted to painkillers and alcohol. He made incredible and valiant efforts to overcome his addiction through treatment and therapy. The last few years were particularly difficult. He fell victim to a disease that is very much the same as contracting cancer. No shame. No stigma.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Kathryn Klaiber. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Suzanne, his brother Greg (Nancy) Klaiber, his sister Alison (Ralph) Taskovic, and his niece and nephews.
Relatives and friends may join the family on Saturday, October 28, at CHURCH AND CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME, 380 Bluemound Rd., at highways J and JJ, four blocks south of Interstate 94, Waukesha, at 4:00 PM, followed by the Memorial Service at 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to either the Gary Sinise Foundation or the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) would be appreciated.
Church & Chapel Funeral Service Serving the Family
Milwaukee 262-827-0659 Waukesha 262-549-0659
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