John Klein

John Klein, 73, of Adell, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on April 13, 2025.
He was born on April 27, 1951 in Sheboygan, WI, the eldest son of the late Benjamin and Alvina (Strack) Klein.
John attended Parnell Grade School and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1969.
In 1978, he met the love of his life and best friend, Yvonne Zukaitis, while working at Gilson Brothers. On October 4th of 1980, they were married at the Zion United Methodist Church in Batavia.
John worked at Satori Cheese, Tecumseh Mfg. and Gilson Brothers until 1984. He went on to manage a small dairy operation on the family farm until health problems forced him to sell the herd he had built and was so proud of. He also raised champion hogs for Sarah and Jesse to show at the county fair through 4H. He worked at Times Printing, where he made many life long friends, until large layoffs caused him to look for one last job. He retired from Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac in 2015, where he worked in the machining department, a job he thoroughly loved and was excited to go to everyday.
Besides his love of farming, John enjoyed anything that involved wheels and an engine; preferably with glass packs and a low rumbling exhaust. He took pride in building and running a Hobby Stock and then a Sportsman at the Plymouth and Chilton racetracks. He moved on to late model racing at the Hales Corner track and then back to Plymouth being part owner of an open wheeled modified. When it came to racing, he did it all-owner operator, pit crew and spectator. He was a member of the CCRA and the EWSC. He passed on the love of racing to his son Jesse, where they bonded over late nights in the shop, building Jesse's first Chilton Challenger, while he was still a senior in high school.
The "need for speed" didn't stop with Jesse, and was quite evident when his daughter Sarah, ran a few races at Union Grove and did quite well! He was so proud when his granddaughter Reese began her career at the young age of 14, racing jet skis with Great Lakes Watercross, just like her dad, Marvin.
Family was important to John, and building a "Skoolie Bus" to take up north hunting once Sarah and Jesse each turned 12, was something he loved and talked about always. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and babysat them any chance he would get. That "Skoolie" also took them to the Rhinelander Hodag for many years, creating more fun family memories.
Survivors include his wife, Yvonne; two children, Sarah (Marvin) Gahagan and Jesse (Anne) Klein; five grandchildren, Benjamin Klein-Swaer, Reese, Ryder, Mylee, and Mason Gahagan; brother, Ralph (Mary) Klein; Sister-in-law, Debbie (Frank) Schneider; Brothers-in-law, DJ (Kathy) Zukaitis and Jeff Zukaitis; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Haddi Klein, and sister-in-law Jackie Schultz.
Visitation will be held on April 18th, 2025 at the Suchon Funeral Home in Plymouth from 11:30AM-2:30PM; with a memorial service to follow at 2:30 PM. Rev. Kristal Klemme will officiate. Burial will be at Pilgrim's Rest Cemetery in the Town of Sherman on April 19th at 11:00AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sharon S. Richardson Hospice in memory of John.
The Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.
The Family would like to send a special thanks to the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Hospice; specifically Mary Burri, Nancy, Diana, Tracy and his daughter-in-law Anne, for their care and compassion given to John. Also important to note are his cousins Francis and Diane Klein; and long time friend, Jake Hansen for all the love, compassion and support given to John over the years. Their kindness cannot be replaced.