Walter Klusmeyer

Walter Klusmeyer, age 100 of Greenfield, formerly of Horicon and rural Westfield, was born in Dusseldorf, Germany on October 3, 1908 to Henrietta (Opel) and Gustave Klusmeyer. In 1911 Gustave immigrated to America and settled in Cicero, IL where he worked as a plasterer. Two years later Gustave sent for Henrietta and Walter. They arrived at Ellis Island February 14, 1914. Walter and his parents lived in Cicero until 1920 when Gustave purchased a farm in West Plainfield, WI. In 1924 Walter was completing his freshman year at Plainfield High School when his parents sold the farm in West Plainfield and bought a larger farm southwest of Coloma on what is now County CC. Walter chose to forego any further education and devoted his time and energy to becoming a successful dairy farmer. To supplement the farm income, in 1928 to 1930 Walter worked at Waukesha Motors as a machinist. In 1930 Walter met and later married Etta Laura Wandry of Westfield, WI. To this union were born two children, a son Robert and a daughter Claire. They continued farming and during WWII Walter worked in Milwaukee as a machinist building 105 mm Howitzers. In 1947 Walter picked up the sport of bowling, he became an avid bowler and served 30 plus years as Secretary to the Hancock Bowling Association. In 1965 Walter and Etta sold their farm and bought a year round home on the south side of Pleasant Lake. Walter then enjoyed working ten years as a finishing carpenter in the Waushara and Marquette County area and then retired. Walter was a self-critic and as astute innovator respected by all who knew him. He enjoyed bowling, water skiing, fishing, gardening, RVing, and traveling, and he loved his grandchildren. In 1989 Walter and Etta moved to Horicon to be near their son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Joyce. Etta succumbed to Alzheimer’s in 1999. Since then Walter was self sufficient in all his daily needs living by himself in his home in Horicon. In June 2008 Walter chose to leave his home and live with his daughter Claire in Greenfield. Family and friends recently helped him celebrate his 100th birthday. We were fortunate in the timing and it was a gathering that he clearly enjoyed to the fullest. Walter passed away at his home of heart failure on December 12, 2008 at the age of 100 years and 70 days.
It cannot be without note that Walter will be interred December 20th, on Walter and Etta’s 78th wedding anniversary.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents Gustave and Henrietta, and his wife Etta.
Walter is survived by his son Robert and daughter Claire Allison, seven grandchildren, Mary Simich, Paul Klusmeyer, Susan Stecker, Carol Michalowski, Robert S. Klusmeyer, Judy French and David Allison; six great grandchildren, Elizabeth Gibbons Nowicki, Ricky Gibbons, Robbie Simich, Alex Klusmeyer, and Jodi and Jami Allison; two great great grandchildren, Shannon and Declan and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives here and abroad, and many friends.
A funeral service for Walter will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home, Westfield with Pastor Terry Temanson officiating. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Coloma. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.

Facts

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Services

Saturday December 20, 2008, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home, Westfield

Saturday December 20, 2008, 2:00 p.m. at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home, Westfield

Saturday December 20, 2008 at Hillside Cemetery, Coloma