In Loving Memory of
John L. Klenke
4/25/58 – 10/10/23
John L. Klenke, 65, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2023. John was born on April 25, 1958 in
Green Bay, Wisconsin to Donald and Carol Klenke. He grew up with six brothers and one sister: Bill, Jim, Bob, Tom, Joe, Shirlyn, and David.
John graduated from Southwest High School in 1976. He earned his bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980 and his master's degree in business administration (taxation) from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1982. He began his career at Arthur Andersen in Milwaukee then moved to Green Bay and worked at Schneider National for over 20 years where he served in several roles: treasurer, vice president of corporate strategy, division president, and director of corporate tax.
On his 50th birthday, John retired from his executive position at Schneider. Two years later, he ran for public office and served two consecutive terms as a Republican member of the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the 88th district.
While John was a successful businessman, he will be best remembered by all who knew him for his love and devotion to his Catholic faith, his wife of 23 years, Charlotte, their six children, and 15 grandchildren. John and Charlotte were married at Holy Cross Catholic Church on February 26th, 2000 and lived in
Green Bay, Wisconsin for many years together. They retired to Lake Martin in
Dadeville, Alabama where John found joy in everything on the lake including fixing the dock with his sons, giving jet-ski rides to the grandkids, exploring coves around the lake and enjoying coffee in the morning overlooking the stillness of the water.
John loved to travel with Charlotte, their children and grandchildren and wherever John traveled, he always made it a priority to find a Catholic church to attend as a family. John was extremely generous with his time, talent, and treasure not only to his family and friends but also to anyone in need.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Charlotte, his six children, Anthony (Jaime) Klenke, Brian (Arayna) Klenke, Ben (Cathy) Klenke, Courtney (Eric) Broadfoot, Conner (Annie) Kuehn, Chandler (Alex) Kuehn, and his 15 grandchildren: Alissyn Klenke, Josh Klenke, Andrew Klenke, Jaelyn Klenke, Adam Klenke, Ford Klenke, Arayna Klenke, John Klenke, Tyler Giron, Kristen Klenke, Grayson Klenke, Emma Klenke, Jack Broadfoot, Charlotte Broadfoot, and Eleanor Broadfoot. He is also survived by his mother, Carol Klenke, his siblings, Bill (Robin) Klenke, Jim (Gail) Klenke, Bob Klenke, Tom (Guillermo) Klenke, Joe Klenke, Shirlyn (Mark) Adkins, and David (Becky) Klenke, and his brother-in-law and dear friend, William "Benny" Roebuck. He is preceded in death by his father, Donald Klenke.
To honor John's love of his Catholic faith, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to any one of the following: EWTN Global Catholic Television Network, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (near
Green Bay, WI), or the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Hanceville, Al).
General Visitation:
Thursday, October 26th
10:00 – 10:30am
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in
Auburn, Alabama1110 N College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Funeral Service:
Thursday, October 26th
10:30am Rosary in the Sanctuary
11:00am Mass
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in
Auburn, Alabama1110 N College St, Auburn, AL 36830
Lunch/Reception to follow at St. Michael's
Gravesite Burial:
Saturday, October 28th
10:00am
Catholic Cemetery of Mobile in Mobile, Alabama
1700 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Mobile, AL 36617