Obit: Klinke, Michael A. (1954 - 2011)

Contact:stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Klinke, Bayuk, Bond, Debevec, Kuklinski, Pederson, Hastreiter, Sytkowski, Hoeper, Behrens, Smith, Hennig, Kitzhaber

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 08/27/2011

Klinke, Michael A. (13 NOV 1954 - 24 AUG 2011)

Michael A. Klinke, 56, of Greenwood, passed away at the House of the Dove in Marshfield, on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, with his wife, family and friends holding him close. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenwood, with the Rev. Joseph Follmar and Rev. Rob Love co-officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, from 2 p.m. until time of service.

Michael Allen Klinke was born on Nov. 13, 1954, in Marshfield, the son of Alvin J. and Florence M. (Bayuk) Klinke. He grew up and received his education in Greenwood, graduating from Greenwood High School in 1973. 

During high school, Mike became a licensed cheesemaker at Greenwood Milk Products. After high school, he went to work for a year as an animal technician at the Wedges Creek Research Farm and took law enforcement classes on the side. Mike worked part-time in Loyal and Greenwood doing patrol work, as well as some time with Clark County Sheriff's Department. He applied for the Chief of Police position in Greenwood in 1980, and was given the job. He was united in marriage to Carole Bond on April 25, 2008, in Eau Claire. Mike served as the chief until retiring in 2008. 

In addition to his law enforcement work, he also served more than 20 years on the Greenwood fire and ambulance as a fireman and EMT, and taught the hunter's safety course for more than 25 years.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Wisconsin Chiefs of Police Association, North Central Chiefs of Police Association, and an Emergency Government Official for the City of Greenwood.

Mike had many interests, but especially loved getting up at the crack of 10 to fish, camping at Lake Holcombe, sitting around the campfire with his lake family making smart remarks, cooking his famous fish fry’s and fish boils. Mike was extremely kindhearted, loved babies and animals. He recently lost his beloved dogs, Molly and Murphy, and is still survived by Bob Kitty, his cat.

He will be dearly missed by his soul mate, Carole, of Greenwood; one daughter, Mica Debevec of Appleton; two step-daughters, Dana and Leah Kuklinski, both of Greenwood; two step-sons, Jonathan Bond and Luke (Heidi) Pederson, and a step-grandson, Alex Pederson, all of Chippewa Falls; 10 siblings, Dolores (Richard) Hastreiter of Hudson, Edward of Greenwood, Patricia Klinke of Madison, Kathleen (John) Sytkowski of Kenosha, Robert (Lonna) of Greenwood, Joan (Jeff) Hoeper of Greenwood, Mary Lou (Tom) Behrens, Sandy (Greg) Herrick, Ronald, and Peggy (Craig) Smith, all of Willard; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and special friends Mike Kitzhaber and Jim and Sue Hennig.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, Mike would appreciate memorials be given to the Humane Society of your choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.