Larry Klinger

Lawrence E "Larry" Klinger, 80, of Shell Lake passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026, at Shell Lake Health Care Center. He was born March 31, 1945 in Rice Lake, WI to Ernest and Phyllis (Wickham) Klinger.

Larry graduated from Shell Lake High School in 1964. He was then drafted into the Army in 1965 and served with the 57th Artillery. During his time he earned a National Defense Service Medal. Once he returned home, Larry joined the railroad, took over the Klinger farm and briefly worked at Seneca and the Cenex fertilizer plant.

Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing, skeet and trap shooting and water skiing in his younger years. He won several awards for skeet and trap shooting. Larry was a quirky, old school man who always had a comeback. He had a knack for making people smile.

He is survived by his children: Beverly Klinger (Steve) of Shell Lake, Bonnie Fletcher (Wayne)of Rice Lake, and Barbara Erwin (John) of Papillion, NE; grandchildren: Cheyenne (Colten) Kozial, Ayden Erwin, and Grace Erwin. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Phyllis Klinger; and grandparents: Lawrence C. and Alpha Mae Wickham, and Ernest H. and Antonia M. Klinger.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Skinner Funeral Home, Shell Lake with Pastor John Sahlstrom officiating. Burial will be in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI. Honorary Pallbearers are Swan Wennerberg, Joel Hagen, Dennis Swan, Gale Pokorny, John Harrington, Dirk Benzer, and Gordy Haseleu.

Skinner Funeral Home of Shell Lake is serving the family.