Willard L. "Fuzzy" Klein, age 85, of the town of Wayne, passed away Saturday, September 18, 2004 at the Cedar Lake Health Care Center, West Bend.
He was born on February 12, 1919 in West Bend to the late Edwin and Laura (Nee Brennicke) Klein. He was raised in Oakfield and moved with his family to West Bend in 1935. Willard graduated from West Bend High School class of 1937. On November 2, 1940 he was united in marriage to Burnette Kirchner and they made their home on her family's farm in the town of Wayne.
Willard worked at the West Bend Company until 1947. He then devoted his full time to farming until 1970 when he returned to the West Bend Company. He retired in 1995 with 27 years of employment and was a member of the West Bend Company 25 year club.
He was a member of St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church on Beaver Dam Road. Willard enjoyed farming and the land, but he especially enjoyed playing sheepshead.
He is survived by his wife, Burnette; two daughters, Patricia (Kenneth) Blank of Green Bay, and Diann Klein of Kewaskum; nine grandchildren, Steve Blank, Matthew Blank, Timothy Blank, Christine (Mark) Heuer, Nathan (Kristina) Blank, Jonathan (Sarah) Blank, Michael (Bridgett) Metz, Charles (Corina) Metz, and Richard Metz; 13 great-grandchildren; a sister, Maryalyce (Walter) Rathke of West Bend; other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Beverly Klein, a grandson, Douglas Blank, and two brothers, Kenneth Klein and Melvin Klein (killed in action in Korea in 1951).
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 22 at 7:30 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home, West Bend, with Rev. Steven Bode officiating. Burial will be Thursday at 10:30 am at St. Peter's Church Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 pm until the time of service.
The family appreciates memorials in Willard's name to the charity of your choice.