Robert Dean Klika

Robert Dean Klika passed away on January 28, 2026, one day after his 75th birthday. We were able to honor his wishes to be out of the hospital and in our second home and ministry office in Green Bay with Bristol Hospice services and the help of friends and family. He has struggled with a long series of strokes and various health issues for many years but which has intensified over the past six months. He was able to recover many times but this was the number of his days and he said he was ready to see Messiah.

Bauch Ha'ba B'shem YHWH! (Blessed be the Name of the LORD!)

Bob was the eldest of six children born to Roland (Ron) and Lois (Diermeier) Klika. Residing on Barbara Avenue in Appleton, WI they eventually bought a property in Readfield where Bob attended elementary school. They raised vegetables and raspberries for sale for many years. Bob loved the raspberries but never wanted to prune another bush. He graduated from Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida and received his B.S. in Animal Science and Meats from UW-River Falls. He met Barbara Bellin while teaching a Judo class on self-defense for women there and they were married in December 1972. Bob was the first of the family to work in the insurance industry and then drove semi for a year or two, before jack knifing a truck on ice in the mountains on I-80. That was enough! He worked at a dairy farm in Balaton, Minnesota before servicing milking parlors with Midland Cooperative in Mayville, WI. He later installed milking parlors and eventually became the Milk Procurement Manager for Purity Cheese in Mayville. After recovery from a terrible car accident in 1981, he became an inspector of dairy farms, food production businesses, and grocery stores for the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection-State of Wisconsin.

Before his retirement he managed the federal milk rating program (National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments or NCIMS) for the State of Wisconsin. He developed the first Excel spreadsheet, used by the Milk Sanitation Rating Officers, to simplify their reporting. He was a Registered Sanitarian and he and his colleagues loved to discuss pasteurization and dairy sanitation, even after retirement, at their annual gatherings.

Before children, Bob had multiple aquariums and enjoyed color breeding guppies. A model railroad setup eventually went to his nephews. Bob was always a voracious reader, a family trait, keeping up with local, national and worldwide news. Favorite authors: Isaac Asimov, Brock and Bodie Thoene, Tom Clancy, and pretty much anything set in front of him. On retirement, he drove to Lakewood Library weekly for a stack of books, and to Rachel's dismay, discovered he liked Clive Cussler. When driving became too difficult he was attached to his Kindle.

Bob was always willing to help others and patiently did tasks no one else wanted to do. He was the primary driver for many family vacations and camping trips. His Mom adventured along for a number of years. Bob was once applauded by the campers at Indiana Dunes State Park as he threaded the 35' camper through a narrow lane with parked cars on either side. He designed and built a beloved play fort for Karen and Rachel, and it grew for the grandkids.

While living in Mayville, Bob was very active with the local Jaycees chapter and became a Regional Director and the Jaycee Liaison to the Waupun Correctional Institute chapter. He was a volunteer EMT in Mayville and later in Oshkosh. He also served on the board for the Mayville Senior Center and at the Catholic church.

Bob was a founding officer of our home fellowship 501©3 ministry, Set Apart Ministries, in January of 2000. He was nearly always busy building or fixing something that people in the ministry needed. He especially enjoyed introducing visitors to the worship songbook. Bob was recognized for his ability to calm rambunctious children with a single clearing of his throat.

Bob completed the comprehensive Bethel Series Bible study program in 1997 as well as in-depth studies of Torah and the New Testament for the last 25 years. He also participated in the ongoing Men's Life Model classes, dealing with personal maturity and growth.

Set Apart Ministries was part of the original group that formed the Prison Aftercare Network for Brown County. Bob provided Transition Help monthly training for those nearing their release date. He also helped with whatever was needed by the five ex-offenders who participated with Set Apart Ministries for aftercare upon their release…and as his disability increased, they helped him.

Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara Klika; daughters: Karen Huebner and Rachel Klika (Reid Wooldridge); grandchildren: Emily, Leo, Henry, Sophia, and Carson Huebner; siblings: Dan, Gary (Cheri), Rick (Joan), Mary (Tim) Oatman, and David (Kathy); numerous nephews and nieces; and former son-in-law Phil Huebner, former sister-in law Marti Klika. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tony and Mary Diermeier, and George and Johanna Klika; his parents, Ron and Lois Klika; his parents-in-law, Steve and Doris Williams; his infant son, Robert Dean Klika, Jr.; and his sister-in-law, Barbara Jean Klika.

The interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Appleton at 1:00 pm on February 16, 2026. All are welcome. Visitation will follow at Valley Funeral Home in Appleton from 2:00 until 3:30 pm, followed by a worship time and Celebration of Life. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

The family would like to extend their thanks and blessings to all the friends, family, and neighbors who have provided care and support for Bob and Barb over these past years, as well as to all the faithful prayer warriors. We were blessed by the help of more people than we could possibly name, but you know who you are, and we are grateful for each of you! We'd also like to thank the professionals who helped Bob live as well as possible, including Aurora Hospitals and Clinic staff, Luther Home, Rennes West/Peshtigo, Elderly Services in Crivitz, Orthopedic and Spine Therapy Clinic in Lakewood, Silver Cliff Rescue Squad and Volunteer Firefighters, Club Five, Cornerstone Home Health, and Bristol Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations in Bob's memory to:

Silver Cliff Rescue Squad, Inc. at W16210 Old J Road, Silver Cliff, WI 54104

or

the Prison Aftercare Network of Brown County sent to:

Prison Aftercare Network in care of Set Apart Ministries, P. O. Bx 5584, De Pere, Wi 54115