Eugene H. Kleinschmidt

1920 - 2018

Eugene H. Kleinschmidt

Tucson, AZ - Eugene 'Gene' H. Kleinschmidt, 97, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and God's faithful servant was welcomed home on Monday, April 2, 2018. He leaves his wife of 23 years, Betty James Kleinschmidt of Mountain View Retirement Village, Tucson, AZ.

Gene was born June 13, 1920 and grew-up in Wauwatosa, WI, the second child of Alfred and Antonia (née Boerst) Kleinschmidt. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Al, sisters Lois Meinel and Ruth Riek, and great-grandson, Joseph Brinkman. Gene is survived by his wife Betty of Tucson, daughters Caryl (Dale) Brinkman, Maricopa, AZ; Barbara (John) Cook, Whiting, NJ; Nancy Mezyk, Plover, WI; sons Al (Cindy), Appleton, WI; and Mike (Lori) Kleinschmidt, Neenah, WI; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

After graduating high school, Gene worked two years for the First National Bank of Wisconsin in Milwaukee before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He graduated in Accounting in January 1943 and enlisted in the US Navy. Gene completed the 90-day midshipman training at Columbia University and was sent to the Pacific theater at the rank of Lieutenant JG where he commanded supply ships.

While home on leave, Gene married Ardice Jean Reitz of Marshfield, WI in June 1945 and they were blessed with five children. After World War II, they returned to Marshfield, WI, where Gene began his first job as bookkeeper for Clover Cream Dairy. Later, after a brief stint with Hardware Mutual Insurance of Stevens Point, he moved his family to Appleton in 1950 and began his career in Public Accounting. Gene worked as a CPA for E. A. Dettmann and Co. for the next thirty years and completed his working career as controller at Bassett's Heating and Cooling in Appleton. Gene lost Ardice in 1991 after 45 years of marriage.

Gene relocated to Tucson, AZ in 1993 where he met Betty James and they married in 1995.

In celebration of Gene's life, a memorial made to the Employee Holiday Fund, Mountain View Retirement Village, 7900 N La Canada Dr., Tucson, AZ 85704, or one of your choices will be greatly appreciated. A June 2018 memorial celebration in WI is being planned.