Obit: Kleba, Fredrick C. “Fred” (1936 – 2008)
Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Kleba, Staffon, Mattson, Chwala, Moran, Dehnert, Tarentino, Kaplinski, Liesener, Mack, Lappnow, Wittnebel

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) November 12, 2008

Kleba, Frederick C. “Fred” (26 November 1936 – 5 November 2008)

Fredrick C. “Fred” Kleba, 71, of Ashippun and formerly of Hixton died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008, at the Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital in Oconomowoc.

Fred was born Nov. 26, 1936, in the Town of Hixton to the late Joseph and Rachel (Staffon) Kleba. He married Mary J. Mattson July 28, 1956, in Northfield. He was employed in commercial furniture manufacturing at Fiberesin Industries in Oconomowoc for 43 years.

His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, gardening, spending time with his grandchildren and going to his cabin. In his younger years, he was an avid softball player.

Fred is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Chuck (Sue) Kleba of Watertown and Joe (Tena) Kleba of Gold Bar, WA; one daughter, Rosemary (Kenny) Chwala of Watertown; one brother, Jack (Mary) Kleba of Hixton; and a sister-in-law, Marguerite Kleba of Hixton. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Trisha (Shawn) Moran, Kayla (Drew) Dehnert, John (Sara Jane) Chwala, Brad Chwala, Sarah Chwala, Essen Tarentino, Laura Kleba and Toni Kleba; five great-grandchildren, Jackson, Alanna, Collin, Tyler, Riley and a sixth great-grandchild, Baby Dehnert on the way.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob and Earl, sisters Mary Lou and Elizabeth; and a great-granddaughter, Ramona Dehnert.

Funeral services for Fredrick “Fred” Kleba were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008, at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home, Hixton, with Reverend John Kaplinski officiating. Friends called Friday evening at the Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home, Oconomowoc, and Saturday at the Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home from noon until the time of services. Burial took place in the Northfield Lutheran Cemetery.

Casketbearers were: Brad Chwala, John Chwala, Drew Dehnert, Barth Liesener, Jim Mack and Shawn Moran. Honorary bearers were Don Lappnow Jr. and Tom Wittnebel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for Ashippun EMT’s or to the donor’s choice.